Elective surgical referral guidelines--background educational material or essential shared decision making tool? A survey of GPs' in England.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To investigate general practitioners' (GPs') attitudes to guidelines for elective surgical referral in England. To understand their use of guidelines, and attitudes to shared decision making in the referral decision.

Methods

A questionnaire was developed which investigated attitudes to and use of guidelines. It was given to a stratified random sample 30% (n = 310) drawn from GP lists of 10 English health districts (primary care trusts (PCTs)). GPs were invited to respond online, by telephone, fax or post. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and backwards stepwise logistic regression.

Results

Responses were representative of GPs in England, but (despite up to 6 contacts per non-responder) the overall response rate was 41.6% (n = 129; with the ran

SUBMITTER: Blundell N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3176475 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature