Aspects of the quality of the information contained in radiological referrals.
A referral letter is an important carrier of information, and it is important that it contains what both the recipient and the referrers expect. Based on the concept of perceived quality of service, 126 consecutive referrals from the General Dental Service (GDS) and their associated replies from the Department of Oral Radiology (OR) were mutually evaluated. OR judged that necessary information about the patient was specified in over 80% of the cases, and that information pertinent to the issue and the proposed examination was included in over 90% of the cases. The referrers were very satisfied with the replies they received. Only 1% reported that the information contained in the reply was not satisfactory for the continued care of the patient. Ninety-one per cent reported that they felt the reply to their referral was adequately long. A mutual questionnaire is a practicable tool to ensure quality in the referral process.
Ordell
Sven
S
Public Dental Service, Motala, Sweden. sven.ordell@lio.se
Stenström
Birgitta
B
D003142:Communication; D015709:Correspondence as Topic; D030881:Disclosure; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011861:Radiography, Dental; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires