Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40336177›Full record

ArticleScandinavian journal of primary health care2025

Patients' perspectives regarding antibiotic treatment for acute sinusitis in Norwegian general practice. A qualitative interview study.

Jorunn Thaulow, Torunn Bjerve Eide, Sigurd Høye, Holgeir Skjeie

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scandinavian journal of primary health care, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Jorunn ThaulowDepartment of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, Antibiotic Centre for Primary Care, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.ORCID 0009-0009-9582-3424
Torunn Bjerve EideDepartment of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, Antibiotic Centre for Primary Care, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.ORCID 0000-0002-5712-1415
Sigurd HøyeDepartment of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, Antibiotic Centre for Primary Care, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.ORCID 0000-0003-1806-3811
Holgeir SkjeieGeneral Practice Research Unit, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe prescription rate for antibiotics for acute sinusitis in primary care remains high, despite evidence showing their limited effectiveness. GPs frequently encounter patient demands for antibiotics, which can influence their decision-making process.

aimThis study aimed to explore the help-seeking and expectations of patients experiencing symptoms of acute sinusitis, with a particular focus on their desire for antibiotics. We sought to understand why patients seek their GP for sinusitis, what kind of treatment they hope to receive, and how they perceive their influence on the GP's treatment decision.

methodsWe conducted 12 semi-structured interviews with patients who had consulted their GP for acute sinusitis from various regions across Norway. The qualitative analysis was performed using systematic text condensation.

resultsWe developed 3 main themes:1. 'Pain and exhaustion'- Patients primarily consulted their GP for acute sinusitis seeking medication to alleviate pain and accelerate recovery.2. 'I trust the GP, but mainly myself'- While patients expressed trust in their GPs, they also had clear expectations of receiving the specific treatment they sought. 3. 'Antibiotics works'- Most patients associated medication with antibiotics and believed they were effective against sinusitis.

conclusionPatients with sinusitis primarily visited their GP to seek relief from pain and to obtain medication that they believe could speed up recovery, which often meant antibiotics. These findings suggest a continuing need for measures targeting both doctors and patients to align treatment expectations, improve adherence to clinical guidelines, and adjust patient expectations. Better pain management of sinusitis should be emphasized.

Indexed as

Anti-Bacterial AgentsGeneral PracticePatient Acceptance of Health CareSinusitisAcute DiseaseAdultAgedDecision MakingFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedNorwayPhysician-Patient RelationsPrimary Health CareAnti-Bacterial Agentsantibioticsgeneral practiceindividual interviewspatients’ expectationsqualitative researchSinusitistrust in GP

Identifiers

PMID40336177
PMCPMC12377082

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.