The monitoring of prothrombin time ratios in general practice--a model for chronic disease care?

A small group of ten patients on long-term treatment with anticoagulant drugs were offered the opportunity to attend an anticoagulation clinic run by their general practitioner over a one year period. All had previously been travelling long distances to attend over-crowded hospital clinics. Attendance at general practice clinic was excellent, control of anticoagulation was good and there were no problems advising on dose alterations. The implications of this study for the management of this and other chronic conditions in General Practice are discussed.