Laboratory Test Requests for Gastroenteritis in Dutch General Practices
Author Information
Author(s): Winette E van den Brandhof, Aad IM Bartelds, Marion PG Koopmans, Yvonne THP van Duynhoven
Primary Institution: National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
Hypothesis
What proportion of patients with gastroenteritis consulting their GP have laboratory tests requested?
Conclusion
Only 12% of patients with gastroenteritis had stool samples requested for testing, and the requests did not always align with existing guidelines.
Supporting Evidence
- 12% of patients with gastroenteritis had stool samples requested.
- Campylobacter was the most frequently tested pathogen.
- Test requests were more common in summer months.
- Guidelines for testing were not consistently followed by GPs.
Takeaway
When people go to the doctor with stomach problems, only about 1 in 8 get asked to give a stool sample for testing, and doctors sometimes don't follow the rules about when to ask for these tests.
Methodology
Data were collected from a GP network in the Netherlands, including reasons for requesting tests and test results.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in self-reported data from GPs regarding test requests.
Limitations
The study may not fully represent all GP practices in the Netherlands as it was based on a sentinel network.
Participant Demographics
The study included patients of various ages, with a focus on those consulting GPs for gastroenteritis.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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