Variation in general practice referral rate to acute medicine services and association with hospital admission. A retrospective observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Variation in general practice (GP) referral rates to outpatient services is well described however variance in rates of referral to acute medical units is lacking.

Objective

To investigate variance in GP referral rate for acute medical assessment and subsequent need for hospital admission.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of acute medical referrals from 88 GPs in Lothian, Scotland between 2017 and 2020 was performed using practice population size, age, deprivation, care home residence, and distance from hospital as explanatory variables. Patient-level analysis of demography, deprivation, comorbidity, and acuity markers was subsequently performed on referred and clinically assessed acute medical patients (n = 42,424) to examine how practice referral beha

SUBMITTER: Lyall MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10047615 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature