Understanding the Process of Medical Referral: Part 1: Critique of the literature.
PubMedPublished 1 October 1991
Linda Muzzin
Citations11
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TL;DR
Longitudinal studies that consider all participants' views and place referral in a broader context could reveal more about this complex process of referring physicians and specialists.
Abstract
In a critique of the existing literature, the author found that most studies simply calculate referral rates and count letters between referring physicians and specialists. Longitudinal studies that consider all participants' views and place referral in a broader context could reveal more about this complex process. This article is the first of a six-part series reporting on a longitudinal study of 50 referrals in Ontario and Manitoba.
Keywords
Health ProfessionsBusiness, Management and Accounting
PubMedReferral to hospital by general practitioners.
63 Citations1971D C Morrell, H Gage +1 more
The results of a small study of a single practice are reported, in which marked differences in the referral rates of three doctors were observed, and the object was to investigate the reasons for these differences.
PubMedFactors related to an effective referral and consultation process.
49 Citations1982Hansen Jp, Brown Se +2 more
The quality of the consultation reports, as determined by the referring physician's opinion, increased directly with the amount of referral information originally sent to the consultant.
PubMedConsultation and referral patterns of family physicians.
46 Citations1977Clive D. Brock
A one-month study of all consultations and referrals to medical specialists and other community resources made by 39 family physicians in London, Ontario, in the spring of 1975 finds that physician experience and location of practice affects referral rates.
PubMedReferrals to hospitals in an East Midlands city--a medical audit.
23 Citations1974R C Fraser, H. R. Patterson +1 more
Co-operation and communication between the many parts of the National Health Service, particularly the general the hospital, is necessary if continuity of care, satisfactory to both to be provided.
PubMedThe referral process: a study of one method for improving communication between rural practitioners and consultants.
21 Citations1980Curry Rw, Crandall La +1 more
The use of a referral form accompanied by a request for feedback and a return mailer is an inexpensive method of increasing communication between primary care providers and consultants, thereby enhancing the value of the consultative-referral process.
PubMedThe consultation process and physician satisfaction: review of referral patterns in three urban family practice units.
21 Citations1978Ralph Hines, Deborah Curry
A follow-up assessment of referral outcome revealed a poor response from the teaching clinics of one tertiary-care hospital to the referring physicians resulted in a substantial decrease in the proportion of patients referred from one family practice unit to the hospital over a 3-year period.
PubMedReferrals and demand for specialist care in the Netherlands.
21 Citations1977Rutten Ff, van der Gaag J
The authors conclude that demand for specialist outpatient care is in large part supply-determined and that general practitioners substitute for specialists and suggest that the dual physician-payment system in the Netherlands contributes to increased use of specialist care.
PubMedConsultation and referral in a Vermont family practice: a study of utilization, specialty distribution, and outcome.
17 Citations1979Ruane Tj
Changing patterns of health care delivery may require new definitions of the consulation-referral process, and referral patterns and outcome were studied in an ambulatory family practice facility.
PubMedReferral patterns in an individual family practice.
11 Citations1977Schmidt Dd
This retrospective study of referral patterns in an individual private practice demonstrates that the family physician provides a definitive care for the large majority of patient problems in everyday practice and does not function primarily as a triage officer.
PubMedA new look at the consultation continuum.
4 Citations1977Barnett Bl, Collins Jj
The essential overriding concern could well be represented by the center diagram (the patient and his family and the supporting persons - communicating before, during, and after the consultation - completing a process which could bring about improvement in the quality of life for the patient, the referring physician, and the family.