Generic outpatient referrals: why don't GPs make them?

AIM

Generic general practitioners' (GPs') referrals to secondary care would facilitate equitable distribution of workload and allow planning to meet access time targets. This study assessed GP's referral patterns across a metropolitan health authority, which has actively encouraged generic referrals.

METHODS

A focus group of GPs was used to determine the factors influencing their referral patterns to secondary care for a surgical opinion. A questionnaire was devised based on the factors that emerged from the focus group. All GPs attending continuing-medical-education sessions across Doncaster Health authority were asked to complete this questionnaire.

RESULTS

Of the 79 GPs surveyed, 78 completed the questionnaire. Of them, 22% stated that they made generic referrals rather than to an individual surgeon. Almost four of five GPs made referrals specifically to a named surgeon. A total of 43% of the GPs who referred to a named surgeon ranked perceived clinical skills/ competence as the most important factor. The other factors that influenced their decision in order of importance were waiting times (19%), personal rapport with consultant (12.6%) and feedback from patients (12.6%).

CONCLUSION

Despite encouragement by secondary care and the local health authority, 78% of GPs in the Doncaster area do not make generic referrals. This has to be taken into account in planning service delivery.