[Reasons for consultation between primary care and the second level].
OBJECTIVE
To identify the reasons causing most referrals from primary care to specialist clinics in our health area. In addition, we analysed the quality of compliance in the inter-clinic forms.


METHODS
Descriptive and observational study.


METHODS
Primary care in the Toledo Health Area.


METHODS
Inter-clinic forms (ICF) issued by doctors in 17 primary care teams (PCTs) during 2 weeks in November 2002. Measurements. Age and sex of patient, PCT, type of referral (first time, check-up), referral path (normal, preferential), specialty, reason for referral, ICF quality.


RESULTS
1610 ICFs from 125 doctors were analysed. 64.6% belonged to women. Average age was 43.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 42.4-44.6). 74.6% (95% CI, 72.2-76.5) were new consultations. 12.9% (95% CI, 11.3-14.7) were preferential referrals. Specialties with most referrals were: Gynaecology (20.2%), traumatology (17.4%), and Ophthalmology (14.9%). The early diagnosis of gynaecological cancer (13.01%; 95% CI, 11.4-14.8), reduction in visual sharpness (6.95%; 95% CI, 5.8-8.3) and benign skin tumours (4.18%; 95% CI, 3.3-5.3) were the 3 reasons for most referrals. ICF quality was thought good in 13.1% of cases, acceptable in 82.8%, and poor in 4.1%.


CONCLUSIONS
A high number of referrals were due to reasons that could be resolved at the primary care level. Most inter-clinical referrals were to medical-surgical specialists. Inter-clinical forms are still open to considerable improvement.
Rodríguez Alcalá
F J
FJ
Gerencia de Atención Primaria de Toledo, Centro de Salud de Palomarejos, Barcelona, Toledo, España. jrodriguez@sescam.org
Chacón Fuertes
J
J
Esteban Tudela
M
M
Valles Fernández
N
N
López de Castro
F
F
Sánchez Ramiro
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013038:Specialization