title: How should laboratories communicate with primary care? Obtaining general practitioners' views.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recognising the importance of communication with our primary care colleagues, focus groups were held with GPs to determine how they perceived the current lines of communication with their local microbiology laboratory and the PHLS, and how they could be improved.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus groups were held in Plymouth, Gloucester, Bristol and Hereford. Between four and 10 GPs and/or PCG Board members attended each workshop. The modes of communication i.e. websites, face-to-face contact, laboratory reporting, telephone advice, newsletters, guidance and surveillance were discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Microbiology websites should be user friendly, with clear labelling as to whom the page is directed. They should contain locally relevant data, antibiotic guidance and information leaflets. Despite great variation in laboratory reporting protocols GPs were mostly happy with reports received. Results, especially serology, should contain a clear conclusion and could refer to a website for further information. Electronic reporting was enthusiastically awaited. All GPs felt they had excellent access to telephone advice. GPs would value data and guidance on their use of diagnostic tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These workshops highlight the variation in laboratory reporting protocols that should be addressed. Website development for GPs should include locally relevant data. GPs would value details of their laboratory use and costs.
authors.affiliation: HPA Primary Care Research Unit, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Great Western Road, Gloucester GL1 3NN, UK. jill.whiting@hpa.org.uk
authors.forename: Cliodna A M
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McNulty
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Telfer-Brunton
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dance
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jacobson
mesh_terms: D004739:England; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007753:Laboratories; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011320:Primary Health Care