Table 3 Influence of uncertainty avoidance within the medical consultation in primary care

Patients have high risk perception of the threat of the disease and possible complication.

Patients have low risk-perception of the threat of the disease and of possible complications.

[19, 21, 27]

Patients feel confident only if they have a disease with a clear cause, label and treatment (defensive medicine).

Patients feel confident even in case of uncertainty, accepting that the GP has no specific diagnosis or that no treatment can be given.

[12]

Patients prefer a “rather safe than sorry” attitude.

Patients accept a “wait and see” attitude.

[12, 19, 27]

The illness is perceived as an evil phenomenon against which you should fight.

The illness is perceived as a natural phenomenon with a natural history to be respected.

[24]

GPs feel uncomfortable and are anxious of making mistakes.

GPs are aware of the dangers of a defensive attitude.

[12]

GPs see themselves as experts and feel the inner urge to “do something”; prescribe what’s considered to be the less risky for the patient on a short term basis.

GPs accept a degree of uncertainty and a “wait and see” approach.

[12]

Prescribing antibiotics decreases the fear linked to uncertainty of both the GP and the patient.

Prescribing antibiotics does not decrease uncertainty-related fear of the GP nor of the patient.

[12, 13, 19, 27]