To test the value of an outpatient visit in patients with dyspepsia, 7
9 patients considered suitable for open access endoscopy by their gene
ral practitioners were instead seen in the medical outpatient clinic f
irst. In 35 patients immediate endoscopy was seen as an inappropriate
investigation and 23 of these were spared endoscopy. In 11 patients im
portant extra diagnoses were made in the clinic which would have been
delayed or missed had the patients been sent straight for open access
endoscopy. Sixty-eight per cent of patients, when asked by questionnai
re, said they preferred to be seen in the clinic first rather than com
e for open access endoscopy. These results lend support to the traditi
onal medical clinic appointment followed by endoscopy if and when appr
opriate rather than the open access endoscopy system.