[Relationship between referral and patient characteristics].
In order to evaluate the relationship between referral and patient characteristics, 594 new patients utilizing Saga Medical School general clinic were studied using a questionnaire and chart review. Results obtained are as follows: 1) Fifty-eight patients (10%) came for follow-up of mass screening tests, 174 patients (29%) were self-referral, the remaining 362 patients (61%) were under previous care by other physicians. Only 64 patients (11%) had a referral letter. 2) Those patients who were not advised to visit our clinic by non-medical personnel, patients who were seriously ill, elderly patients, residents in distant area, and those with medical problems tended to have a referral letter. 3) Of the 64 patients having referral letters, 15 (23%) took the initiative in asking their previous doctor to write a referral letter. Patients who were highly educated had a greater tendency to request referral letters. 4) The reasons cited by the patients without a referral letter included "Did not think of the necessity" (22%), "Wanted to confirm diagnosis" (22%), "Did not want to make the doctor lose face" (16%), "No improvement in symptoms" (14%) These results indicate that education of patients and the general public, and establishing good physician-patient communication and trust are necessary for increasing the use of referral letter.
Department of General Medicine, Saga Medical School.
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Shirahama
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Fukui
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Horikawa
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data