An evaluation of the appropriateness of advice and healthcare contacts made following calls to NHS Direct Wales.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An evaluation of NHS Direct Wales (NHSDW), a national telephone-based healthcare advice and information service, was undertaken. A key objective was to describe the actions of callers and assess the appropriateness of advice and healthcare contacts made following calls, results of which are reported here.

Methods

Postal questionnaires were sent to consecutive callers to NHSDW in May 2002 and February 2004 to determine 1) callers' actions following calls and 2) their views about the appropriateness of: advice given; and when to seek further care. An independent clinical panel agreed and applied a set of rules about healthcare sites where examinations, investigations, treatments and referrals could be obtained. The rules were then applied to the subsequent contacts

SUBMITTER: Snooks H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2761899 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature