title: Inappropriate out-patient referrals increasing?
abstract: A study was undertaken to determine if inappropriate general practitioner out-patient referrals have increased. Out-patients referred to an otolaryngology unit in north-east England were analysed. Patient, diagnosis, waiting time and outcome of consultation details of new attenders for a two-month period in 1981 and 1989 were compared. New out-patient attenders without evidence of otolaryngological disease, who required no treatment, investigation or follow-up, were defined as inappropriate referrals. A total of 2200 new attendances were studied, 819 in 1981 and 1381 in 1989. In all, 125 referrals (15%; 95% confidence interval, 12-18%) in 1981 and 180 patients (13%; 11-15%) in 1989 were inappropriate. There was no increase in the proportion of inappropriate referrals.
authors.affiliation: University of Leeds.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Nunez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice; D006767:Hospitals, District / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D010036:Otolaryngology; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014850:Waiting Lists