Greenacre Orthodontics, 14 Wepre Drive, Connah's Quay, Deeside, CH5 4HA, UK.
The University of Warwick Medical School, Coventry, CV4 7HL, UK.
Br Dent J. 2020 Mar;228(5):355-360. doi: 10.1038/s41415-020-1315-2.
Introduction This study was designed to investigate the accuracy of clinical information provided by referring general dental practitioners (GDPs) following the introduction of a standardised referral form across Wales (the All Wales Universal Orthodontic Referral Form [AWUORF]) and to see whether the information given could be reliably used to screen the referrals.Aim To evaluate whether priority cases were being readily identified and whether inappropriate referrals could be minimised, thereby potentially reducing waiting lists.Method A service evaluation involving the retrospective study of 200 consecutive referrals to a specialist practice over a three-month period. A descriptive data analysis was undertaken.Results The GDPs had successfully identified the main complaint in 156 (78%) of the referrals. Of the 44 (22%) clinically inaccurate referrals, there was no impact on the patient in terms of referral pathway in 32 (16%) cases, but in the remaining 12 (6%), 5 (2.5%) cases were prioritised unnecessarily and the remaining 7 (3.5%) would have been seen more quickly had the GDP provided the relevant clinical information. The appropriateness of referral in terms of eligibility of the patient to receive NHS-funded orthodontic treatment was high with only 18 (9%) patients failing to meet the criteria.Conclusion The AWUORF successfully guides the GDP to make appropriate referrals and enables accurate triage in the majority of cases.
简介 本研究旨在调查在威尔士引入标准化转诊表格（全威尔士通用正畸转诊表格 [AWUORF]）后，转诊的普通牙科医生（GDP）提供的临床信息的准确性，以及所提供的信息是否可以可靠地用于筛选转诊。目的 评估是否能够快速识别优先病例，是否可以最大限度地减少不适当的转诊，从而可能减少候诊名单。方法 涉及对三个月内 200 例连续转诊到专科诊所的回顾性研究的服务评估。进行了描述性数据分析。结果 GDP 在 156 例（78%）转诊中成功确定了主要投诉。在 44 例（22%）临床不准确的转诊中，有 32 例（16%）对转诊途径没有影响，但在其余 12 例（6%）中，有 5 例（2.5%）不必要地被优先考虑，其余 7 例（3.5%）如果 GDP 提供了相关的临床信息，就诊速度会更快。就患者是否有资格接受 NHS 资助的正畸治疗而言，转诊的适当性很高，只有 18 名（9%）患者不符合标准。结论 AWUORF 成功指导 GDP 进行适当的转诊，并在大多数情况下实现准确的分诊。
