Evaluating the Appropriateness of Antibiotic Treatment of Tonsillitis during COVID-19 in the North Wale Primary Healthcare Setting
- Resource Type
- article
- Authors
- Chunhei Li; Caitlin Ong; Anna Morris; Isobel Woollons; Ahsan Ashfaq; Rikesh Jagatia
- Source
- Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, Vol 12 (2021)
- Subject
- Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics
R858-859.7
Public aspects of medicine
RA1-1270
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 2150-1327
21501327
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the delivery of primary care in the NHS. Consultations have largely moved from face-to-face to remote, forcing practitioners to modify the ways in which they deliver care to patients. Aim: In this study, we aim to investigate the appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in tonsillitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design and Setting: An observational quantitative analysis in the North Wales primary care setting. Method: Retrospective review of computer records across 5 GP centers from March 2020 until the end of October 2020. Data was extracted and analyzed using chi-square or fisher exact rank and Mann–Whitney test. Results: Our results have shown no significant difference in antibiotic prescribing behavior comparing face-to-face and remote consultations. Conclusion: Remote consultation is as effective as face-to-face consultation with regards to the assessment of tonsillitis and the appropriateness of antibiotic prescription in primary care.