[Cross-sectional multicenter study of outpatient neurological care in the autonomous region of Valencia. Commission on Analysis of Quality of the Neurological Society of Valencia].

INTRODUCTION

Studies of the use of resources is a method recommended for the determination of health care requirements in order to improve planning for this.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze outpatient neurological care in the Autonomous Region of Valencia (CR).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A transverse multicentric study was done in different Neurology Clinics in the CV. For three days, chosen randomly, forms were filled in.

RESULTS

Twenty neurologists participated. Analysis was done of 954 consultations. In 30% of these cases the neurologist was satisfied and in 30% he was not. Consultation took 9.5% more time than anticipated. Urgent unscheduled consultations made up 8.6%. Women made up 52% and were of an average age of 52 years. Delay was 29 days. Primary care services referred 42% of the patients. The commonest diagnoses were: cerebral infarct, migraine and parkinsonism. The conditions referred from Primary Care Services were similar to those from non-neurological specialists. First visits took 17.6 minutes and following visits 11.7 minutes. The most usual 'destination' was follow-up (75.2%), followed by AP (24%).

CONCLUSIONS

Neurological care in the Neurology Clinics of the CV is easily accessible and of good quality. However, it is overloaded by the large demand, due to ambiguity of the health care system available. The different degrees of professional satisfaction felt by neurologists are probably due to the quality of health care available to patients depending on where they live and the type of centre they attend.