In:
Journal of Clinical Urology, SAGE Publications, Vol. 12, No. 6 ( 2019-11), p. 455-461
Abstract:
This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Urology Advice and Guidance (A & G) referral pathway within the National Health Service (NHS). It seeks to identify whether the A & G system helps to prevent unnecessary referrals to secondary care services and endeavours to see whether there is any variability in consultant responses to A & G queries, and whether this affects how patients are subsequently managed. Patients and methods: This study uses patient data collected by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust over a six-month period between 2016 and 2017. The correspondence from 192 A & G referrals was analysed to extract 11 data points from each referral to help analyse the aims of the study. Results: The results showed that almost half of all A & G referrals could be avoided if general practitioners made better use of the urology guidelines made available to them. The results also demonstrated that A & G referrals were more appropriately managed when guidance was given by a consultant with subspecialty interests in line with the referral. Conclusion: The aims of this study were appropriately met, and the study outlines how improvements in the A & G service could offer both financial and clinical benefits to primary and secondary care services alike. Level of evidence: 3b
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2051-4158
,
2051-4166
DOI:
10.1177/2051415819860373
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
2019
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2753851-5
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