Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40874535›Full record

ArticleThe European journal of general practice2025

General practitioners' perspectives on diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections: A qualitative study in the Northern Dutch-German cross-border region.

Aida Bedri, Vaitiare Mulderij-Jansen, Imke Aits, Matthijs Berends, Michael H Freitag, Henk van der Worp, Corinna Glasner, Marco H Blanker

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Article in The European journal of general practice, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Aida BedriDepartment of Health Services Research, Division of General Practice, School VI - Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0003-3564-5522
Vaitiare Mulderij-JansenDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-6793-8007
Imke AitsDepartment of Health Services Research, Division of General Practice, School VI - Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.ORCID 0009-0007-6118-1705
Matthijs BerendsDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-7620-1800
Michael H FreitagDepartment of Health Services Research, Division of General Practice, School VI - Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-7572-2011
Henk van der WorpDepartment of Primary and Long-Term Care, Cure and Care in the Community Context (FOUR-C) Research Program, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-5545-4155
Corinna GlasnerDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0003-1241-1328
Marco H BlankerDepartment of Primary and Long-Term Care, Cure and Care in the Community Context (FOUR-C) Research Program, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-1086-8730

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn the Netherlands and Germany, most antibiotics are prescribed in primary care, with urinary tract infections (UTIs) being the most common reason. The resistance rates of pathogens causing UTIs are rising in Europe. Differences in clinical practice guidelines may play a role and influence the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and treatment options. Therefore, we aim to explore the reality of general practices, including the diagnosis and management of uncomplicated UTIs in the Northern Dutch-German cross-border region.

methodsFrom January 2023 to April 2024, a qualitative study was performed using semi-structured interviews with German and Dutch general practitioners (GPs). The number of interviews was determined when data saturation was reached. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated and anonymised. MAXQDA (Version 24.1.0.) was utilised to code the interviews. The analysis was done using structured qualitative content analysis.

resultsWe recruited 13 GPs in Germany and 10 GPs in the Netherlands. Four main themes were identified: diagnosis, treatment options, decision making and guidelines. Dutch GPs delegated most diagnosis and treatment tasks to practice assistants, which is facilitated by the more stringent use of guidelines. More variety was seen in the types of antibiotics and herbal remedies used by German GPs.

conclusionsThis study provides valuable insights into GPs' decision making regarding the diagnosis and treatment of UTI. Increasing awareness of UTI diagnosis and treatment can help GPs assess their own practices and think more critically of their antibiotic use. Further research is needed to explore the effects on antibiotic resistance in the cross-border region.

Indexed as

Anti-Bacterial AgentsAttitude of Health PersonnelGeneral PractitionersPractice Patterns, Physicians'Urinary Tract InfectionsAntimicrobial StewardshipClinical Decision-MakingDrug Resistance, BacterialFemaleGeneral PracticeGermanyHumansInterviews as TopicMaleNetherlandsPhysician AssistantsAnti-Bacterial Agentsantibioticsantimicrobial resistanceguidelinesprimary carepublic healthUncomplicated urinary tract infection

Identifiers

PMID40874535
PMCPMC12395613

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