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KMID : 0384320070280040286
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Korean Journal of Family Medicine
2007 Volume.28 No. 4 p.286 ~ p.291
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Referral Pattern of Family Practitioners - Cheonan Practice-Based Research Network Study -
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Lee Rhan
Cheong Yoo-Seock
Park Eal-Whan
Choi Eun-Young
Kim Ki-Sung
Sim Sug-Kyu
Park Yun-Jong
Yeoum Hung-Tag
Jeong Eun-Ju
Kim Sun-Yeol
Suh Moon-Sung
Lee So-Jeong
Kim Jong-Taik
Kang Ki-Hyung
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Abstract
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Background: Consultation and referral are important characteristics of modern medicine which has become more segmented and more specialized. In particular, they give essential value to family practitioners to coordinate patients ccordingly for proper care. This study analyzed the referred patients in family practices under Cheonan practice based-research network (CPBRN).
Methods: The data was collected via questionnaire in ten family clinics under CPBRN system during the four seeks from June 15, 2006 to July 12, 2006.
Results: The total number of referred cases was 103(0.7%) out of a total of 14,466 office visits. Among the total, 68.9% of referred cases was physician-drived and 31.1% was patient-requested. The reason for referral were ‘to get a second opinion of specialist’ (34), ‘high severity’ (20), ‘lack of examination tool’ (18), ‘lack of skill’ (10) and ‘no response to treatment’ (2) in physician-drived cases, whereas in patient-requested cases, they were ‘request for advanced hospital’ (26) and ‘want to meet specialist’ (2). The patients were referred to tertiary hospital in 66.7%, secondary hospital in 15.9%, and other specialists of primary setting in 10.1%. Overall, 66.7% of the referred hospital was located in the city area. The main health problems of referred patients was divided into ‘gastrointestinal’ (17.5%), ‘musculoskeletal’ (13.6%), ermatology’
(10.7%) and so on. The speciality consulting physicians were ‘internal medicine’ (34%), ‘pediatrics’ (13.6%), and rthopedic surgery’ (10.7%) specialists.
Conclusion: The referral rate of family practice in Korea was 0.7%. The main reason for referral was ‘to get a secondary opinion of a specialist’. The most common referral problem was ‘gastrointestinal’. ‘Internal medicine’ was
the most frequently consulted specialty. (J Korean Acad Fam Med 2007;28:286-291)
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KEYWORD
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primary medicine, referral, family practice
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