Explaining variation in referral from primary to secondary care: cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To determine the extent to which referral for defined symptoms from primary care varies by age, sex, and social deprivation and whether any sociodemographic variations in referral differ according to the presence of national referral guidance and the potential of the symptoms to be life threatening.

Design

Cohort study using individual patient data from the health improvement network database in primary care.

Setting

United Kingdom.

Participants

5492 patients with postmenopausal bleeding, 23 121 with hip pain, and 101 212 with dyspepsia from 326 general practices, 2001-7.

Main outcome measures

Multivariable associations between odds of immediate referral for postmenopausal bleeding and age and social deprivation; hazard rates of referral for h

SUBMITTER: McBride D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2995017 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature