Abstract
Background: The communication of relevant patient information between general practitioners (GPS) and medical specialists is important in order to avoid fragmentation of care thus achieving a higher quality of care and ensuring physicians' and patients' satisfaction. However, this communication is often not carried out properly. The objective of this study is to assess whether communication between GPS and medical specialists in the referral process is associated with the organisation of primary care within a country, the characteristics of the GPS, and the characteristics of the primary care practices themselves. Methods: An analysis of a cross-sectional survey among GPS in 34 countries was conducted. The odds ratios of the features that were expected to relate to higher rates of referral letters sent and communications fed back to GPS were calculated using ordered logistic multilevel models. Results: A total of 7183 GPS from 34 countries were surveyed. Variations between countries in referral letters sent and feedback communication received did occur. Little of the variance between countries could be explained. GPS stated that they send more referral letters, and receive more feedback communications from medical specialists, in countries where they act as gatekeepers, and when, in general, they interact more with specialists. GPS reported higher use of referral letters when they had a secretary and/or a nurse in their practice, used health information technologies, and had greater job satisfaction. Conclusions: There are large differences in communication between GPS and medical specialists. These differences can partly be explained by characteristics of the country, the GP and the primary care practice. Further studies should also take the organisation of secondary care into account.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 54 |
Journal | BMC Family Practice |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 17 2020 |
Funding
This article is based on data from the QUALICOPC (Quality and Costs of Primary Care in Europe) project, co-funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013) under grant agreement 242141. The analysis, reported in this article, was not separately funded. The responsibility for the information and the views set out in this paper lie entirely with the authors.
Keywords
- Communication
- Continuity of care
- Primary care
- Referrals
- Secondary care
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Family Practice