Family physician referrals and outcome at a medical center
Resource
CHINESE JOURNAL OF FAMILY MEDICINE v.1 n.4 pp.201-9
Journal
CHINESE JOURNAL OF FAMILY MEDICINE
Journal Volume
v.1
Journal Issue
n.4
Pages
201-9
Date Issued
1991
Date
1991
Author(s)
Abstract
A study of family physician referrals and their outcomes was conducted at NTUH from January to December, 1990.Two hundred and eight referrals were made out of 27,733 visits.The overall referrals rate was 0.75％, the main method of referral being the use of a referral sheet（93.6％）. Difficulty in further diagnosis and treatment was the main reason for referrals（49.4％）.The referring physician was the decision-maker in the referral process,and internists, psychiatrists,and neurologists were the most frequent consultants. Second-year family physician residents referred the most,and individual referral rates decreased with increased length of training.Most referrals were to the out-patient department and half of the referral cases were continuously cared for by the consultants. showed that referral was the appropriate course of action. The referral outcomes and diagnosis differed significantly depending on the length of training of the referring physician.From this study it can be recommended that family physicians should pay more attention to the referral process within medicial center,and family physicians should facilitate communication between consulting physicians and referral patients so as to achieve optimal rapport and results. Increased training for those diseases with higher referral rates is essential.#1583#
Subjects
referral rate
referral behavior
comprehensive care