Communication regarding adverse drug reactions between secondary and primary care: a postal questionnaire survey of general practitioners

GPs are not always informed that their patient suffered an adverse drug rea ction (ADR) while in hospital. We have conducted a postal questionnaire sur vey of 270 GPs in order to elicit their views regarding provision of inform ation from secondary care regarding ADRs. Of the 141 (52.2%) GPs that repli ed, 127 (90.1%) saw patients that had experienced an ADR in hospital. Of th ese GPs, 113 (89%) stated that they encountered instances where no record o f the ADR existed in patients' discharge documentation. Where written infor mation was absent, GPs are reliant on information given to them by patients . Of those responding, none were 'very confident' of this information, whil e 92 (78.6%) were 'uncertain' or 'very uncertain' of this information. A sa mple notification form was developed. GPs were generally satisfied with its content and 110 (82.7%) thought that patients should receive a copy. Almos t all GPs (135 (97.8%)) felt that it would be appropriate to provide patien ts with ADR warning cards. Ensuring that patients and their carers are awar e of drugs to which they may be allergic or intolerant through verbal and w ritten methods should minimize the unnecessary risks of inadvertent re-expo sure.