Stenungsund

Researchers are evaluating how changing the way patients with a sore throat are assessed might reduce unnecessary antibiotic use. This study compares whether medical practitioners, nurses, or pharmacists are the best initial assessors for patients with sore throat symptoms. It also investigates the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in these patients, reflecting changes in COVID-19s impact over time and its transition from pandemic to endemic. The study involves three groups where patients with acute sore throat are first assessed either by a physician, a nurse, or a pharmacist. Each assessor follows the current Swedish guideline, which recommends no antibiotics or testing for patients with fewer Centor criteria and testing plus antibiotics consideration only if Group A Streptococcus GAS is present for those with more Centor criteria. The pharmacist assessment is not standard practice in Sweden but is included as an experimental approach. Participants will be evaluated immediately after their consultation for guideline adherence, illness severity, patient type, and presence of SARS-CoV-2. The study monitors these outcomes to understand the best patient flow for sore throat management and the role of COVID-19 in these cases. The total participation duration aligns with the consultation and immediate post-consultation assessment, with no extended long-term follow-up mentioned.