title: Acute Abdominal Pain for the General Physician - who, when and how to refer to the on-call surgeon.
abstract: Patients with abdominal pain are most frequently referred to the on-call surgical team, but there are occasions when physicians may be required to assess, investigate or treat such patients. This article aims to equip non-surgeons with the skills to undertake an appropriate initial assessment and consider the most appropriate selection, timing and mode of referral to the surgical team.
authors.affiliation: Treves Surgical Unit, Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2DR.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lamparelli