Abstract
IntroductionSymptomatic criteria have a diagnostic specificity of approximately 90% for uncomplicated cystitis. Today there are triage bots that can collect patient history and document simultaneously. Acute uncomplicated cystitis could potentially be managed digitally, due to the symptom-based approach to diagnosis, but no studies have yet validated this approach.AimWe determined the extent of criteria documentation and evaluated adherence to antibiotic recommendations in order to compare physical and digital patient consultations for uncomplicated cystitis.Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study recruited sixteen 50-year-old women who presented with urinary symptoms to digital healthcare or to three primary physical healthcare facilities. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who had two or more documented criteria and received correct antibiotic treatment.ResultsIn total, 307 patient visits were included in the study (278 in the digital arm and 40 in the physical arm). The proportion of patients who had two or more documented diagnostic criteria and correct treatment was significantly higher in the digital arm (96 vs 81.6 %, p < 0.001). The total proportion of patients who had fully documented diagnostic criteria did not differ significantly between the arms, however, the proportion with two or more documented criteria was significantly higher in the digital arm (95 vs 77.5%, p < 0.001). The proportion of treated patients who had documented exclusion of diagnostic complicating factors was higher in the digital arm (85.5 vs 0%, p < 0.001).ConclusionsMore patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) now seek digital healthcare providers who have similar or better adherence to antibiotic treatment recommendations and documentation.
Highlights
MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited sixteen 50-year-old women who presented with urinary symptoms to digital healthcare or to three primary physical healthcare facilities
Symptomatic criteria have a diagnostic specificity of approximately 90% for uncomplicated cystitis
The proportion of patients who had two or more documented diagnostic criteria and correct treatment was significantly higher in the digital arm (96 vs 81.6 %, p < 0.001)
Summary
This cross-sectional study recruited sixteen 50-year-old women who presented with urinary symptoms to digital healthcare or to three primary physical healthcare facilities. The study consisted of two arms: a digital arm recruited through a digital healthcare provider and a physical arm consisting of patients recruited through three urban primary healthcare facilities outside Stockholm. Data collection in both the physical and digital arms was performed using data from electronic health records (EHR). Women in the ages 16-50 who presented with symptoms of urinary tract infection [4] were recruited Both urban and non-urban residents were included. Symptoms of urinary tract infections were defined as dysuria, frequency, urgency, recognizing symptoms from previous UTI, and lower abdominal pain [4,19]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
