[Evaluation of medical reports received from the second level of care].
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the monthly inter-clinic rate (MIR), the medical reports received, their quality and the period of delay until the first second-level consultation.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, descriptive study.


METHODS
Rural health centre.


METHODS
498 first consultations requested of the second level by three family medicine lists between June and November 1999. 132 were excluded for presenting a criterion of exclusion (consultations within the second level, check-ups, appointments missed by the patient and consultations that could not be recorded), which left a sample size of 366.


RESULTS
Mean MIR was 34 . Ophthalmology (21.9%), gynaecology (15.3%) and traumatology (13.9%) were the most commonly requested services. 69 reports (18.8%) were received, leaving 297 (81.2%) not received. Pneumology (100%) and internal medicine (81.8%) services sent through most reports, whereas haematology and rehabilitation (0%) sent through least. The mean score on the reports was 8 +/- 2 out of a maximum of 10. Mean delay was 73 +/- 46 days.


CONCLUSIONS
The monthly inter-clinic rate found was within the figures cited in the literature. The percentage of reports received was way below what was found in the literature, but their quality was good.
Jiménez Marín
A
A
Centro de Salud Puebla de Cazalla, Sevilla. med010059@nacom.es
Bellón Rodríguez
J
J
Cordobés López
J
J
Domínguez Palomo
S
S
Martín Pérez
F
F
Nieto Vizcaíno
D
D
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000592:standards*; D012017:Referral and Consultation