Antibiotic Stewardship: Pharyngitis Diagnostics for Urgent Care Clinicians
Steven Goldberg, MD, MBA; Shelley Janssen, MD, MBA; Azia Evans, PhD • Published: November 13, 2025 • Last Reviewed: January, 2026
What Is Pharyngitis and Why Is Accurate Diagnosis Important?
Pharyngitis is a common condition in urgent care, often caused by viral or bacterial infections such as Group A Streptococcus. Because symptoms frequently overlap, distinguishing the cause can be difficult—leading to unnecessary antibiotic prescribing when diagnostic certainty is lacking.
Key Takeaways
- Pharyngitis is one of the most common urgent care complaints
- Viral and bacterial causes often present with similar symptoms
- Misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary antibiotic use
- PCR testing improves diagnostic accuracy and treatment decisions
- Better diagnostics support antibiotic stewardship efforts
What Will You Learn About Pharyngitis Diagnosis and Antibiotic Stewardship?
This HealthTrack webinar presents evidence-based approaches to diagnosing and managing pharyngitis in urgent care settings.
Our physician panel evaluates diagnostic nuances, microbiological causes, and clinical strategies that support informed decision-making and antibiotic stewardship goals.
Three patient encounters are featured with presentation and history, diagnostics, rapid PCR testing, and pathways to optimize treatment.
Skip to the following timestamps to watch the associated case study.
Watch Case 1: The Standing Order Conundrum [25:00]
Watch Case 2: Overlapping Symptoms [32:50]
Watch Case 3: Referral to an ENT [38:00]
Panelists
Steven Goldberg, MD, MBA – Chief Medical Officer at HealthTrackRx, named one of Modern Healthcare’s “100 Most Influential in Healthcare,” with deep expertise in clinical operations, population health, and healthcare economics.
Shelley Janssen, MD, MBA – Chief Medical Officer at Doctors Care of SC (now Novant Health Urgent Cares), with over 20 years of experience in family medicine and urgent care.
Azia Evans, PhD – Director of Medical Affairs at HealthTrackRx, overseeing healthcare provider education, clinical research collaborations, key opinion leader engagement, and educational content development.
Webinar Recording
Claim Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credits in 2 Easy Steps
Step 1: Please complete the form below to confirm you’ve viewed the webinar.
Step 2: Click the yellow button below to access the CME claim form.
Designation Statement
The Urgent Care Association designates this activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Urgent Care Association (UCA) and the HealthTrackRx. UCA is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Related Articles and White papers
Steven Goldberg, MD, MBA; Shelley Janssen, MD, MBA; Azia Evans, PhD • Published: November 13, 2025 • Last Reviewed: January, 2026
What Is Pharyngitis and Why Is Accurate Diagnosis Important?
Pharyngitis is a common condition in urgent care, often caused by viral or bacterial infections such as Group A Streptococcus. Because symptoms frequently overlap, distinguishing the cause can be difficult—leading to unnecessary antibiotic prescribing when diagnostic certainty is lacking.
Key Takeaways
- Pharyngitis is one of the most common urgent care complaints
- Viral and bacterial causes often present with similar symptoms
- Misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary antibiotic use
- PCR testing improves diagnostic accuracy and treatment decisions
- Better diagnostics support antibiotic stewardship efforts
What Will You Learn About Pharyngitis Diagnosis and Antibiotic Stewardship?
This HealthTrack webinar presents evidence-based approaches to diagnosing and managing pharyngitis in urgent care settings.
Our physician panel evaluates diagnostic nuances, microbiological causes, and clinical strategies that support informed decision-making and antibiotic stewardship goals.
Three patient encounters are featured with presentation and history, diagnostics, rapid PCR testing, and pathways to optimize treatment.
Skip to the following timestamps to watch the associated case study.
Watch Case 1: The Standing Order Conundrum [25:00]
Watch Case 2: Overlapping Symptoms [32:50]
Watch Case 3: Referral to an ENT [38:00]
Panelists
Steven Goldberg, MD, MBA – Chief Medical Officer at HealthTrackRx, named one of Modern Healthcare’s “100 Most Influential in Healthcare,” with deep expertise in clinical operations, population health, and healthcare economics.
Shelley Janssen, MD, MBA – Chief Medical Officer at Doctors Care of SC (now Novant Health Urgent Cares), with over 20 years of experience in family medicine and urgent care.
Azia Evans, PhD – Director of Medical Affairs at HealthTrackRx, overseeing healthcare provider education, clinical research collaborations, key opinion leader engagement, and educational content development.
Webinar Recording
Claim Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credits in 2 Easy Steps
Step 1: Please complete the form below to confirm you’ve viewed the webinar.
Step 2: Click the yellow button below to access the CME claim form.
Designation Statement
The Urgent Care Association designates this activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Urgent Care Association (UCA) and the HealthTrackRx. UCA is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
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