title: Out-patient follow-up after routine surgery: a questionnaire study.
abstract: A questionnaire was sent to all consultant general surgeons and urologists in Wales to assess current practice in out-patient follow-up after surgery for nine commonly performed procedures. A further questionnaire was sent to a random sample of general practitioners in South Glamorgan to assess the possibility of GPs taking on responsibility for post-operative follow-up. This should, therefore, reduce the number of post-operative patients passing through the out-patient department. Of the 58 (77%) consultants who responded, the percentage who routinely followed up patients with at least one post-operative visit was calculated. Of the 33 (66%) GPs who responded the percentage who were prepared to take responsibility for post-operative follow-up was calculated for patients having the same operations. There was agreement and disagreement between consultants and GPs, but not distinct pattern emerged. A larger study must be performed before the out-patient department is rationalized using protocols based on this study.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: V B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Conboy
authors.forename: B I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Rees
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Matthews
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014852:Wales