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Written advice can provide a safe and acceptable alternative to new patient assessment for selected referrals to haematologists
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Authors/contributors
- Ganly, Peter S. (Author)
- Keeman, Helen (Author)
- Spearing, Ruth L. (Author)
- Smith, Mark P. (Author)
- Patton, Nigel (Author)
- Merriman, Eileen G. (Author)
- Gibbons, Steve S. (Author)
Title
Written advice can provide a safe and acceptable alternative to new patient assessment for selected referrals to haematologists
Abstract
Objective: To measure the safety and acceptability of providing written advice (WA) for selected patients referred to a haematology service, as an alternative to inpatient or outpatient assessment. Design, setting and participants: Review of the initial management and subsequent course of patients newly referred to a tertiary referral hospital in Christchurch, New Zealand, between 16 October 2003 and 8 June 2006. Structured questionnaires were sent to all referring doctors and patients recently managed with WA. Main outcome measures: Numbers and diagnoses of patients managed with WA, early assessment or delayed assessment; re-referral and treatment details; characteristics of WA letters; and opinions of referring doctors and their patients on the WA process. Results: 26% of new referrals (714/2785) were managed with prompt WA, while 16% (455/2785) received the alternative of delayed assessment. After a median follow-up of 23 months (range, 8–40 months), 13% of those managed with WA (91/714) were re-referred back to the same haematologists; 7% (52/714) were assessed in hospital and 2% (15/714) eventually required treatment. There were no deaths due to haematological causes. Over 90% of responding referring doctors said the WA process was rapid and effective, and 77% of recently managed patients were pleased to be treated by their own doctors. Conclusions: Using WA to manage a substantial minority of patients referred to haematologists can be rapid and safe. It is widely accepted by referring doctors.
Publication
Medical Journal of Australia
Volume
188
Issue
1
Pages
9-12
Date
2008
Language
en
DOI
10.5694/j.1326-5377.2008.tb01495.x
ISSN
1326-5377
Accessed
2020-10-23T00:49:47Z
Library Catalog
Wiley Online Library
Rights
© 2008 AMPCo Pty Ltd. All rights reserved
Citation
Ganly, P. S., Keeman, H., Spearing, R. L., Smith, M. P., Patton, N., Merriman, E. G., & Gibbons, S. S. (2008). Written advice can provide a safe and acceptable alternative to new patient assessment for selected referrals to haematologists. Medical Journal of Australia, 188(1), 9–12. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2008.tb01495.x
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