General practice registrars - attitudes of older patients.
BACKGROUND
Previous research indicates that older patients may be less willing to consult general practice registrars (GPRs), reducing training opportunities in chronic/complex care. This survey explores older patients' attitudes in order to inform models of interaction that would be acceptable to patients.


METHODS
Ten training general practices distributed questionnaires for self completion to 50 patients aged 60 years and over. Chi-square, Spearman's rho and logistic regression were used for analysis.


RESULTS
The response rate was 47%. Ninety-six percent wanted ongoing contact with their general practitioner if they saw a GPR. Twenty-four percent were comfortable with GPR chronic/complex care, increasing to 73% when there was contact with their usual GP during the consultation.


CONCLUSIONS
This study quantifies a widespread reluctance among older patients to GPRs managing chronic/complex conditions, which could be significantly improved by maintaining a relational link with their regular GP. These results give guidance for training practices and warrant further investigation.
Bonney
Andrew
A
Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. abonney@uow.edu.au
Jones
Sandra C
SC
Phillipson
Lyn
L
Iverson
Don
D
D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D001315:Australia; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008503:Medical Staff / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data