The management of unresolved gastrointestinal symptoms in Australian general practice.
BEACH data collected in 2012-14 were used to investigate the management of unresolved gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in Australian general practice. This included the characteristics of patients who had unresolved GI symptoms managed, and a comparison with the management of new GI symptoms. Nearly half of the GI symptoms managed in 2012-14 were unresolved (had been managed previously). The findings suggest that general practitioners order pathology and imaging tests more often during first presentations of GI symptoms, and often refer patients when GI symptoms are unresolved.
BAppSc (HIM) (Hons), PhD, Research Fellow, Family Medicine Research Centre, Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW.
Julie
J
Gordon
Graeme
G
Miller
Lisa
L
Valenti
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D055815:Young Adult