Stenungsund

Researchers are evaluating if changing how patients with a sore throat are managed can reduce unnecessary antibiotic use. This study compares care by medical practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists following the current Swedish guidelines. It also investigates how often the sore throat is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, considering its shift to a milder, more common infection since the COVID-19 pandemic has become endemic. Patients with sore throat symptoms will be assessed by one of three groups: physicians, nurses, or pharmacists. Each group follows the same Swedish guideline, which recommends no antibiotics or testing for patients with 0-2 Centor criteria and testing plus antibiotics only if Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is present for patients with 3-4 criteria. Pharmacists may provide advice or refer patients to primary health care centers as part of the study. Participants will be involved during their visit to a primary health care center or pharmacy with sore throat symptoms. The study measures adherence to guidelines immediately after each consultation. Researchers will collect data on patient management and test for SARS-CoV-2 presence. The study includes consent procedures and ensures participants understand and agree to join. Patients can withdraw at any time, and those with complicated illness or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 in pharmacist-assessed clusters are excluded.