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A qualitative study exploring variations in GPs' out-of-hours referrals to hospital

Calnan, Michael .W., Payne, Sarah, Kemple, Terry, Rossdale, Michael, Ingram, Jennifer (2007) A qualitative study exploring variations in GPs' out-of-hours referrals to hospital. British Journal of General Practice, 57 (542). pp. 706-713. ISSN 0960-1643. (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:38732)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
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Abstract

Background: There is evidence of significant variations in hospital referral rates for GPs working in out-of-hours care. Aims: To explain why there are marked variations in hospital referral rates for GPs working in out-of-hours care. Design of study: In depth, face-to-face interviews with a purposive sample of GPs with different out-of-hours referral rates. Setting: Bristol, UK. Method: GPs were selected according to their rate of out-of-hours hospital referral. They were classified as high, medium, or low referrers. Five interviews were carried out with GPs from each of the three categories. Results: High referring GPs are typically cautious and believe it is better to admit if in doubt. They express anxiety about the consequences of a decision not to admit, both for the patient and for themselves. They hold negative attitudes towards alternatives to hospital admission. Low referrers were more confident about their decisions and less often worried afterwards. Low referrers were positive about alternatives to hospital admission and described themselves as able to resist pressures from family or carers to have someone admitted. Low referrers also see hospitals as places to be avoided and viewed their goal as preventing an admission. Conclusion: Educational programmes need to be developed to improve GPs' judgements of their competences and to build appropriate levels of confidence. © British Journal of General Practice 2007.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled keywords: Decision making, Hospital referral rates, Out-of-hours care
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Depositing User: Mita Mondal
Date Deposited: 12 Mar 2014 10:46 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:15 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/38732 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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