title: Can GPs co-operate after hours in a competitive urban environment?
abstract: Before designing an intervention aimed at improving the quality of after-hour general practice services to the residents of a relatively isolated outer suburb of Brisbane, a survey of 247 residents was conducted to assess the provisions of after-hours care. The results of the survey were presented to the suburb's general practitioners (GPs). Meetings with the GPs led to attempts at improved communication, using patient-held Health Summary Cards and doctor-to-doctor clinical feedback forms. Forty-four per cent of the 27 GPs participated in the co-operative scheme. One year later the community was resurveyed to assess the impact of the changes in medical services. There was a small but insignificant increase in satisfaction with the provision of after-hours care from 45% to 48%.
authors.affiliation: Medical School, University of Queensland.
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Del Mar
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lostroh
mesh_terms: D003163:Competitive Behavior; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D014504:Urban Health