Variation in examination and treatment offers to patients with allergic diseases in general practice.

BACKGROUND Knowledge about practice characteristics associated with the spectrum of examination and treatment offered in general practice are important for organisational planning. We aimed to analyse physician and practice characteristics associated with examination and treatment offered in general practice to patients with allergic diseases, and to evaluate guideline compliance with respect to anaphylaxis emergency treatment kits. DESIGN A questionnaire-based survey among general practitioners (GPs) about examination and treatment procedures offered in the surgery to patients with allergic disorders. SETTING General practice in Denmark. RESULTS In 2005, 895 (64.3%) of 1391 randomly selected general practitioners (GPs) participated in this survey. The extent of treatment offered and the involvement of staff were strongly associated with having a nurse on the practice team. Guideline recommendations for preparedness for anaphylactic shock in connection with allergy vaccine therapy were not fully implemented. CONCLUSION General practice is substantially involved in the examination and treatment of patients with allergic diseases. There is room for further involvement of staff members and implementation of more procedures in general practice for patients with allergic diseases.