GYNECOLOGICAL REFERRALS TO BARAGWANATH-HOSPITAL

Citation
E. Buchmann et al., GYNECOLOGICAL REFERRALS TO BARAGWANATH-HOSPITAL, South African medical journal, 84(4), 1994, pp. 200-203
Citations number
9
Categorie Soggetti
Medicine, General & Internal
ISSN journal
02569574
Volume
84
Issue
4
Year of publication
1994
Pages
200 - 203
Database
ISI
SICI code
0256-9574(1994)84:4<200:GRTB>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
Three hundred and fifty-nine consecutive referral letters to Baragwana th Hospital's gynaecological outpatients' department were analysed. Le tters from private doctors contained significantly less clinical infor mation than those from clinics. Only 11% of referring private doctors mentioned what treatment they had,Given patients before sending them t o hospital. Soweto clinic nurses tended to include more information in their letters than clinic doctors. There were no significant differen ces in the number of appropriate referrals and incorrect diagnoses fro m private doctors, clinic doctors and clinic nurses respectively. The poor communication, especially between general practitioners and the h ospital, is probably the result of overwork and lack of time. Hospital doctors should reply to well-written referral letters, and liaison be tween clinics and the hospital ought to be improved and expanded.