Use of an open-access gastroscopy service by a general practice: findings and subsequent specialist referral rate.
An analysis of 102 open-access gastroscopy requests from one general practice over 38 months showed that the detection rate of abnormalities was 58%. Even though no predetermined investigation criteria were used these results compare favourably with gastroscopy findings generally and are superior to the detection rate of lesions using barium meals. Only 12% of the patients who underwent gastroscopy required subsequent referral to a consultant. This represents a major benefit, hitherto undocumented, of an open-access gastroscopy service. Considerations of accuracy, safety and cost effectiveness coupled with the availability of efficacious drugs appear to favour the case for open-access gastroscopy for general practitioners.
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation