Study reveals waiting times for orthopedic referrals significantly reduced, UK

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Study reveals waiting times for orthopedic referrals significantly

reduced, UK

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=29757

27 Aug 2005

The British Journal of General Practice (BJGP) has reported research

showing that GP surgeries could drastically cut waiting times for

patients with musculoskeletal disorders if they manage their own

orthopedic referrals.

The study, conducted between April 1997 to September 1999, was

carried out on 12 GP surgeries across North Staffordshire. Data was

compared with 24 control practices and 63 other surgeries in the

area.

Participating GPs were introduced to a novel `slot' system aimed at

managing demand for orthopedic consultations at primary care level.

The system was designed to allow general practices to use their fair

share of orthopedic outpatient capacity and receive important

feedback, in an attempt to improve services for patients.

The study found that those practices managing their own outpatient

demand revealed a 20% reduction in referral rates when compared to

similar practices which did not, indicating the role primary care

could play in reducing outpatient waiting times.

Dr Bridgman from the School of Medicine, University of Keele,

and co-author said: " Our study suggests that practices willing and

able to participate in a slot system for managing their orthopedic

referrals will be significantly able to reduce waiting times for

patients. It also provides some evidence to give practices about the

potential for the system to influence wait times, however further

research in this area is needed. "

Bridgman, Xuefang Li, Gilbert Mackenzie and

Dawes: " Does the North Staffordshire slot system control demand of

orthopedic referrals from primary care? " BJGP September 2005; 55: 704-

709.

The BJGP is published monthly and distributed to over 22,500 RCGP

members, associates, and subscribers in more than 40 countries

worldwide. Its primary purpose is to publish first-rate, peer

reviewed research papers on topics relevant to primary care.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is the largest

membership organisation in the United Kingdom solely for GPs. It aims

to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical

practice and to act as the " voice " of GPs on issues concerned with

education, training, research, and clinical standards.

Founded in 1952, the RCGP has over 22,500 members who are committed

to improving patient care, developing their own skills and promoting

general practice as a discipline. http://www.rcgp.org.uk