Convenience or Continuity: When are Patients Willing to Wait to See Their Own Doctor?
In this cross-sectional online survey, researchers found. More than “half of patients expressed a strong preference to only see their own physician for follow-ups involving mental health (56.8%), chronic conditions (54.6%) or annual checkups (52.6%). Most patients are willing to wait three to four weeks to see their own PCP for certain types of visits. But only 17.1% of respondents preferred to wait to see their own physician for a new symptom, and only 7.2% said they would wait for their PCP when experiencing an urgent concern. This study confirms the important role of Urgent Care centers in providing immediate access for acute and urgent conditions. Full Access: Annals of Family Medicine
Characteristics and Antibiotic Preferences of US Adults reporting Frequent Use vs No Use of Antibiotics.
This article surveyed 581 US adults to identify certain patient characteristics and cognitive bias which are associated with antibiotic-seeking behaviors and unnecessary exposure. Researchers found that adults with frequent antibiotic use reported needing help reading health-related materials, preferred to act in uncertain medical situations, were more distrustful of science, and more likely to want antibiotics for hypothetical viral respiratory infections. The article recommended tailoring educational materials to the specific needs of patients who frequently use antibiotics. Full Access: JAMA
Measle outbreak may last a year, health official warns: 7 things to know.
The director of Lubbock Public Health in Texas in a press briefing on 3/18/25 stated that the spread of measles to rural areas and multiple states has made the spread difficult to contain. The outbreak has now spread to New Mexico and Oklahoma. Children are disproportionately affected. New testing has helped speed up diagnosis with same day results. The 320 cases to date has surpassed the 2024 case count of 285. Health departments must work together to provide education, support, and supplies to provide high quality patient care. Full Access: JAMA
Inhaled Corticosteroid Alternatives for Young Children after Fluticasone Propionate Withdrawal
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are a mainstay in reducing airway inflammation and are considered an effective treatment in children with persistent asthma. The discontinuation of Fluticasone propionate has made securing age-appropriate and financially feasible ICS options for infants and young children more challenging. Full Access: Contemporary pediatrics
