title: Orthopaedic surgery. Joint effort.
abstract: Hip replacement surgery is becoming increasingly specialised and evidence shows that, particularly in revision, surgery is best done by specialists. An audit of GPs suggests great variation in referral practice, with one-third prepared to refer to a 'generalist' orthopaedic surgeon. GPs need better communication with hospitals and knowledge of where specialists are available.
authors.affiliation: North Bristol Trust.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hancock
authors.forename: Evert
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Learmonth
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coates
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008511:Medicine; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000592:standards*; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013038:Specialization; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom