Table 1 Characteristics of referral letters (target specialty, format of correspondence) at time 0 (n = 301) and at time 1 (n = 280)
Specialty referred to | Time 0 | Time 1 |
|---|---|---|
Number (%) | Number (%) | |
Medical | ||
Cardiology | 11 (3.7) | 18 (6.4) |
Dermatology | 44 (14.6) | 21 (7.5) |
Endocrinology | 7 (2.3) | 8 (2.9) |
Gastroenterology | 37 (12.3) | 37 (13.2) |
Neurology | 43 (14.3) | 29 (10.4) |
Pain Team | 4 (1.3) | 11 (3.9) |
Respiratory | 7 (2.3) | 5 (1.8) |
Rheumatology | 9 (3.0) | 12 (4.3) |
Other | 7 (2.3) | 7 (2.5) |
Surgical | ||
Breast | 6 (2.0) | 7 (2.5) |
Ear, nose and throat | 0 (0.0) | 24 (8.6) |
General surgery | 7 (2.3) | 15 (5.4) |
Gynaecology | 53 (17.6) | 30 (10.7) |
Orthopaedics | 49 (16.3) | 39 (13.9) |
Vascular | 5 (1.7) | 7 (2.5) |
Other | 12 (4.0) | 8 (2.9) |
Not stated | 0 (0.0) | 2 (0.7) |
Format of referral | Time 0 | Time 1 |
Number (%) | Number (%) | |
Letter only | 82 (27.2) | 46 (16.4) |
Letter plus selected download of data from electronic patient record | 196 (65.1) | 190 (67.9) |
Letter plus unedited additional data | 10 (3.3) | 4 (1.4) |
Other: examples included referral letters with forwarded radiology result, care plan, copies of previous correspondence, another health professional’s letter, other department investigation results and private clinic letter | 13 (4.3) | 42 (15.0) |