Table 4 questions and frequencies of answers
From: How do general practitioners and specialists value their mutual communication? A survey
Question | GP agree (%) n = 264 | Specialist agree (%) n = 232 | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|
Telephone contact | Â | Â | Â |
Specialist/I can generally be easily reached for colleague consultation. | 73.3 | 76.8 | 0.47 |
I/GP can generally be easily reached for colleague consultation. | 85.3 | 32.8 | <0.001 |
Correspondence | Â | Â | Â |
Generally, the GP's referral letter is qualitatively good. | Â | 29.1 | Â |
The specialist/I answer(s) the question in the referral letter. | 50 | 87.5 | <0.001 |
The specialist's/my report back to the GP is generally sent back in a timely manner. | 22.5 | 61.8 | <0.001 |
Generally, the specialist's report is qualitatively good. | 82.7 | Â | Â |
Generally, I/the GP follow(s) the recommendations made by the specialist in his report. | 92.2 | 49.5 | <0.001 |
The information exchange between GP and specialist (for example on complex/chronic patients) could be improved by using a joint electronic medical file. | 77.0 | 70.8 | 0.14 |
Feedback | Â | Â | Â |
I appreciate feedback from the GP/specialist on my actions. | 94.9 | 89.0 | 0.015 |
Professional expertise | Â | Â | Â |
Specialists/I have to play an important part in increasing my/GPs' medical knowledge. | 60.7 | 62.9 | 0.66 |
I/GPs have to educate specialists/me on the impact of epidemiological differences between primary and secondary care. Specialists: difference between trainers and non-trainers p = 0.046 | 45.1 | 36.2 | 0.056 |
Specialists/I have to educate me/GPs half yearly on their field of medical expertise to keep GPs' medical knowledge up to date. | 44.4 | 61.6 | <0.001 |
A certain specialist/I has(ve) to educate me/GPs regularly (special interest). | 22.6 | 65.9 | <0.001 |