What does information about referrals reveal about the service network?
OBJECTIVE
To identify the most important referring parties in the Finnish health care system.


METHODS
A record linkage study based on nationwide administrative registers.


METHODS
The hospital discharge register during 1996 to 2000.


METHODS
The total Finnish population and the population of four hospital districts.


METHODS
Discharges of individuals by the most important referring parties.


RESULTS
The five most important referring parties in order of magnitude are as follows: health centre, no referral, clinic/unit of the same hospital, hospital other than a health centre, and private health care. The five most important referring parties for those aged over 75 are the same mentioned above. There were regional differences in referral practices.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences or changes in referral profiles as a function of time cannot be taken as a direct measure of the impact of possible interventions or as an indication of an actual difference between the areas compared. One should also always be aware about any related meta-knowledge.
Nylander
Olli
O
National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES), Helsinki, Finland.
Suominen
Tarja
T
Rintanen
Hannu
H
Nenonen
Mikko
M
Pelanteri
Simo
S
D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration*