GYNECOLOGICAL REFERRALS TO BARAGWANATH-HOSPITAL

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.