General practitioners and the geriatric day hospital.
All patients referred by general practitioners (GPs) over a year period to a geriatric day hospital were assessed at home. Sixty-one patients were referred and 33 (54%) were accepted for day hospital attendance, Alternatives were found for the remaining 28 (46%). Day hospitals are underused by GPs and there is confusion between the different functions of day hospitals and social service day centres. Guidelines to assist in patient selection are provided.
D000368:Aged; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D010821:Physicians, Family; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*