REFERRAL PATTERN TO THE ALLERGIST FOR HAY-FEVER IN A HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM WITH OPEN ACCESS TO SPECIALISTS

Little is known about referral patterns to the allergist for hay fever . In a system with open access to the specialist, we investigated the reasons for consulting an allergist in 126 patients who completed a qu estionnaire on their first visit. Both sexes were equally represented, the median age was 29 years, the duration of the disease and the dura tion of seasonal symptoms were 9 years and 10 weeks (median), respecti vely, and 54% of patients reported a history suggestive of asthma. The symptoms were highly variable; on average, 5.6 on a 10-cm visual anal og scale. Most of the patients (94%) had been treated for hay fever be fore. Only 30% were referred by another physician, the rest being self -referred. The reasons for referral were investigated. The overall mot ivation to consult was related to symptom severity in 63% of the patie nts; 37% consulted for other reasons, including an expectation of grea ter ''know-how'' on the part of the allergist concerning specific diag nosis, treatment, and advice or counseling. The stimulus triggering th e consultation was clearly not related to symptoms or disease in 25% o f the cases. We conclude from these data that many patients are clearl y interested in benefiting from the professional skill of a fully trai ned allergist.