A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Health. Johannesburg, April 2012 / Introduction: A functioning and effective referral system is essential to improve maternal care services. There are guidelines that identify the types of maternity care that should be provided at the different levels of care, and define referral pathways and appropriate management of patients at each level of care. Compliance with referral and patient management guidelines is important to ensure appropriate utilization of different levels of maternal care services, and to prevent maternal and peri-natal mortality. This study assesses the referral of pregnant women to Dilokong district hospital maternity unit for delivery, to evaluate the proportion of referred women who delivered at the appropriate level of care. Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study involving retrospective review of hospital records for mothers who delivered in the maternity unit of Dilokong hospital during January to December 2008. Data were collected from 400 records using a data extraction sheet. Data were collected on demographic variables, clinical and obstetric history, distance to Dilokong hospital, and type of referral (self-referred or health professional referred). Analysis determined the appropriateness of referrals for delivery at the Dilokong hospital level of care. Results: Most women delivering at the hospital maternity unit were self-referred and inappropriate for the level of care. A total of 333 women (85%) were self-referred and 57% were inappropriate for delivery at the hospital level of care. Most women used Dilokong hospital as their first contact with the health care system even though many lived closer to a clinic or CHC. Among self-referrals, only 121 (37%) were appropriate for delivery at the hospital level of care. The majority (74%) of health-professional referred women were appropriately referred for hospital delivery. The results also show that the majority (67%) and (53%) of self-referrals and inappropriate referrals respectively were brought to the hospital by ambulance. Conclusion: This study shows that referral pathways are not functioning in line with referral guidelines for maternal care. The bypass of primary care facilities by most women in the study results in inappropriate utilization and potentially overloading of the hospital maternity unit. Non-compliance with referral guidelines defies the efficient functioning of health services. This could be addressed by developing mechanisms to improve and continuously monitor compliance; and doing further studies to determine the contributory factors, particularly for self-referrals.

A RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH JANUARY 2012 / Background: Nkhensani Hospital is a level 1 district hospital which provides comprehensive and integrated health care for the Giyani sub–district population, which is estimated to be 270 000. The major services provided are casualty, medicine, paediatrics, maternity and surgery. The hospital is experiencing challenges in the maternity ward which is admitting more patients than the 47 allocated beds. Monthly, an average of 400 women are admitted for delivery from clinics. The causes are suspected to be due to a number of different factors like shortage of staff at the clinics, poor referral system, poor services at clinics and health centres, poor facilities, and pregnant woman not attending antenatal care and bypassing lower levels of care. Aim: To describe the pattern and appropriateness of referrals in patients attending the maternity ward at the Nkhensani Hospital. Methodology: A retrospective study was used to review and asses the patient records for the study (January to December 2009). Information was obtained from the Hospital Information System and secondary data from patients records will be used to assess the referral pattern in Nkhensani Hospital’s maternity ward. Results: The data showed that the patients admitted had a mean age of 26 years, with a range from 15 to 45 years. Patients were admitted for various reasons, which when categorised were found to have 57% of inappropriate referrals. Similarly 68% of referrals were found to have low risk pregnancies. About 85% of the deliveries were normal vaginal deliveries. Of the patients who attended the facility, 57% were referred from clinics, 19% from community health centres, 1% from general practitioners and 23% as self referrals. The source of referral was not found to be v associated with appropriate reasons for delivery, risk category, length of stay or mode of delivery. Conclusion: The research showed that the referral pattern in the maternity ward from clinics and health centres as well as self referrals indicated that policies were not being adhered to, which led to an over utilisation of the maternity ward in Nkhensani Hospital under Giyani sub-district

Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1959.

Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1959.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether radiologists could accurately assess osteopenia on chest plain films. Two chest radiologists evaluated lateral chest films from 100 patients (80 female and 20 male), ranging in age from 16 to 86 years, for osteopenia and its associated findings. Intra- and interobserver agreement was determined using weighted kappa statistics, and accuracy was assessed by making comparisons to bone mineral density as measured by the non-invasive gold standard of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Overall, radiologists were good at identifying signs of late, but not early, disease. Intraobserver consistency was substantial for fish vertebrae (Kw1=0.638; Kw2=0.0.712) with moderate interobserver agreement (Kw=0.45). Similarly for wedged vertebrae, intraobserver consistency was substantial to moderate (Kw1=0.654; Kw2=0.533) with substantial interobserver agreement (Kw=0.622). These radiographic signs correlated with true disease as shown by high specificity values. Therefore, this study indicates that if osteopenia is suspected (i.e., there is a wedge or fish vertebra) or its associated features are seen on a CXR, it is crucial for radiologists to comment on it. The literature suggests that referring physicians do not pay attention to such findings in radiology reports. Radiologists could effect change in clinical treatment by not burying these findings in the report body, but instead putting it in the impression, along with a recommendation that the finding be followed up with DXA. Because effective interventions for women with osteoporosis exist, the results of this study will contribute to a major change in the practice of chest radiology and improve womens health by preventing the devastating disability associated with osteoporosis.

Yes / Background: In older people living with frailty, polypharmacy can lead to preventable harm like adverse drug reactions and hospitalisation. Deprescribing is a strategy to reduce problematic polypharmacy. All stakeholders should be actively involved in developing a person-centred deprescribing process that involves shared decision-making. Objective: To co-design an intervention, supported by a logic model, to increase the engagement of older people living with frailty in the process of deprescribing. Design: Experience-based co-design is an approach to service improvement, which uses service users and providers to identify problems and design solutions. This was used to create a person-centred intervention with the potential to improve the quality and outcomes of the deprescribing process. A ‘trigger film’ showing older people talking about their healthcare experiences was created and facilitated discussions about current problems in the deprescribing process. Problems were then prioritised and appropriate solutions were developed. Review located the solutions in the context of current processes and procedures. An ideal care pathway and a complex intervention to deliver better care were developed. Setting and participants: Older people living with frailty, their informal carers and professionals living and/or working in West Yorkshire, England, UK. Deprescribing was considered in the context of primary care. Results: The current deprescribing process differed from an ideal pathway. A complex intervention containing seven elements was required to move towards the ideal pathway. Three of these elements were prototyped and four still need development. The complex intervention responded to priorities about (a) clarity for older people about what was happening at all stages in the deprescribing process and (b) the quality of one-to-one consultations. Conclusions: Priorities for improving the current deprescribing process were successfully identified. Solutions were developed and structured as a complex intervention. Further work is underway to (a) complete the prototyping of the intervention and (b) conduct feasibility testing. / National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety Translational Research Centre (NIHR Yorkshire and Humber PSTRC)

by Chong Yu Hoi. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 166-172). / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- Background --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1. --- Evolution of Primary Health Care in Last TwoDecades 226}0ؤ An Overview --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2. --- Role of Primary Health Care --- p.11 / Chapter 2.3. --- Significance of Referral Between Primary and Secondary Health Care --- p.12 / Chapter 2.4. --- Attributes of Referral --- p.14 / Chapter 2.4.1. --- Referral Rate --- p.14 / Chapter 2.4.2. --- Referral Pattern --- p.19 / Chapter 2.4.3. --- Reason of Referral --- p.20 / Chapter 2.4.4. --- Appropriateness of Referral --- p.24 / Chapter 2.4.5. --- Referral Letter --- p.30 / Chapter 3. --- Situation in Hong Kong --- p.34 / Chapter 3.1. --- Health of the Society --- p.34 / Chapter 3.2. --- History of GOPC Service in Hong Kong --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3. --- Present Situation of GOPC Services --- p.37 / Chapter 3.4. --- Previous Surveys on Private Practice in Hong Kong --- p.38 / Chapter 3.5. --- Previous Surveys on GOPC Services in Hong Kong --- p.39 / Chapter 3.6. --- A Review of Data from 12 GOPCs --- p.44 / Chapter 4. --- The Study: Objectives and Method --- p.48 / Chapter 4.1. --- Objectives --- p.48 / Chapter 4.2. --- Materials & Method - The Framework of the Study --- p.51 / Chapter 4.3. --- Phase One --- p.52 / Chapter 4.3.1. --- Study Population --- p.53 / Chapter 4.3.2. --- Sampling Method --- p.53 / Chapter 4.3.3. --- Survey Method --- p.53 / Chapter 4.3.4. --- Data Analysis --- p.54 / Chapter 4.4. --- Phase Two --- p.55 / Chapter 4.4.1. --- Study population --- p.56 / Chapter 4.4.2. --- Sampling Method --- p.57 / Chapter 4.4.3. --- Survey Method --- p.57 / Chapter 4.4.4. --- Data Analysis --- p.58 / Chapter 4.5. --- Phase Three --- p.59 / Chapter 4.5.1. --- Study Population --- p.59 / Chapter 4.5.2. --- Sampling Method --- p.60 / Chapter 4.5.3. --- Survey Method --- p.60 / Chapter 4.5.4. --- Data Analysis --- p.60 / Chapter 5. --- Study Result: Phase One --- p.62 / Chapter 5.1. --- The Response Rate --- p.62 / Chapter 5.2. --- Profile of Patients --- p.63 / Chapter 5.3. --- Referral Rate --- p.64 / Chapter 5.3.1. --- The Spectrum In Hong Kong --- p.64 / Chapter 5.3.2. --- Relationship with Individual GOPC --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3.3. --- Relationship with Practice Size --- p.66 / Chapter 5.3.4. --- Relationship with the Day of the Week --- p.67 / Chapter 5.3.5. --- Relationship with Workload of the Day --- p.69 / Chapter 5.3.6. --- Relationship with Workload of Doctor --- p.70 / Chapter 5.3.7. --- Relationship with Basic Medical Training --- p.72 / Chapter 5.3.8. --- Relationship with Year of Experience --- p.73 / Chapter 5.3.9. --- Relationship with Higher Qualification --- p.73 / Chapter 5.4. --- Referral Pattern --- p.74 / Chapter 5.5. --- Reason of Referral --- p.75 / Chapter 5.6. --- Prescription Rate --- p.77 / Chapter 5.7. --- Investigation Rate --- p.78 / Chapter 5.8. --- Duration of Disease before Referral --- p.78 / Chapter 5.9. --- Number of GOPC consultation before Referral --- p.79 / Chapter 6. --- Study Result: Phase Two --- p.82 / Chapter 6.1. --- Response Rate --- p.82 / Chapter 6.2. --- Background of the Referral --- p.83 / Chapter 6.2.1. --- GOPCs of Referral --- p.83 / Chapter 6.2.2. --- Waiting Time for SOPC Appointment --- p.85 / Chapter 6.2.3. --- The patients --- p.86 / Chapter 6.3. --- Present Complaint --- p.87 / Chapter 6.3.1. --- Duration of Disease before Referral --- p.87 / Chapter 6.3.2. --- Number of GOPC Consultation before Referral --- p.89 / Chapter 6.4. --- Assessment of Referral --- p.90 / Chapter 6.4.1. --- Management of Referring Doctor --- p.90 / Chapter 6.5. --- Referrals with Inappropriate Necessity --- p.91 / Chapter 6.5.1. --- The Patients --- p.91 / Chapter 6.5.2. --- Referring GOPCs --- p.93 / Chapter 6.5.3. --- The Specialties --- p.94 / Chapter 6.5.4. --- "Diagnosis, Investigation & Treatment" --- p.95 / Chapter 6.5.5. --- Timing of Referral --- p.97 / Chapter 6.5.6. --- Duration of Present Attack --- p.97 / Chapter 6.5.7. --- Outcome of Referral --- p.97 / Chapter 6.6. --- Referrals with Inappropriate Timing --- p.98 / Chapter 6.6.1. --- The Patients --- p.98 / Chapter 6.6.2. --- The Referring GOPCs --- p.98 / Chapter 6.6.3. --- The Specialties --- p.100 / Chapter 6.6.4. --- Necessity of Referral --- p.101 / Chapter 6.6.5. --- Number of GOPC Visit before Referral --- p.101 / Chapter 6.6.6. --- Number of GOPC Visit with Specialty --- p.102 / Chapter 6.6.7. --- Duration of Disease --- p.103 / Chapter 6.6.8. --- Duration of Disease with Specialty --- p.104 / Chapter 6.6.9. --- "The Diagnosis, Number of GOPC Visit and Duration of Illness" --- p.105 / Chapter 6.6.10. --- Investigation & Treatment Prescribed --- p.107 / Chapter 6.6.11. --- Prognosis of the Referred Cases --- p.109 / Chapter 6.7. --- Referrals with Inappropriate Investigation --- p.110 / Chapter 6.7.1. --- The Patients --- p.110 / Chapter 6.7.2. --- The Referring GOPCs --- p.110 / Chapter 6.7.3. --- The Specialties --- p.112 / Chapter 6.7.4. --- The Diagnosis & Investigation --- p.113 / Chapter 6.7.5. --- Prognosis of Referral --- p.115 / Chapter 6.8. --- Referrals with Inappropriate Treatment --- p.115 / Chapter 6.8.1. --- The Patients --- p.115 / Chapter 6.8.2. --- Referring GOPC --- p.115 / Chapter 6.8.3. --- The Specialties --- p.117 / Chapter 6.8.4. --- The Diagnosis & Treatment --- p.118 / Chapter 6.8.5. --- Prognosis of the Referred Cases --- p.119 / Chapter 6.9. --- Assessment of the Referral Letter --- p.120 / Chapter 7. --- Study Result: Phase Three --- p.122 / Chapter 7.1. --- The Response Rate --- p.122 / Chapter 7.1.1. --- The GOPC Doctors --- p.122 / Chapter 7.1.2. --- The Specialists --- p.123 / Chapter 7.2. --- Profile of GOPC Doctors --- p.123 / Chapter 7.2.1. --- Years of Clinical Practice --- p.123 / Chapter 7.2.2. --- Qualification Obtained --- p.124 / Chapter 7.3. --- Profile of Specialists --- p.125 / Chapter 7.3.1. --- Years of Clinical Practice --- p.125 / Chapter 7.3.2. --- Qualification Obtained --- p.126 / Chapter 7.4. --- Workload of the Participating Doctors --- p.126 / Chapter 7.4.1. --- Number of outpatient Seen by GOPC Doctors --- p.126 / Chapter 7.4.2. --- Number of outpatient Seen by Specialists --- p.126 / Chapter 7.5. --- Referrals from GOPCs to Specialist Clinics --- p.127 / Chapter 7.5.1. --- Percentage of GOPC Cases Referred to Specialist Clinics --- p.127 / Chapter 7.5.2. --- Percentage of Specialist Cases Referred from GOPCs --- p.127 / Chapter 7.6. --- Communication between GOPC and Specialist Clinic --- p.128 / Chapter 7.6.1. --- Opinion of GOPC Doctors on Referral Letters --- p.128 / Chapter 7.6.2. --- Opinion of GOPC Doctors on Feedback from Specialists --- p.130 / Chapter 7.6.3. --- Opinion of Specialist on Referral Letters --- p.131 / Chapter 7.6.4. --- Opinion of Specialists on Their Feedback --- p.135 / Chapter 7.7. --- The Form of Feedback from Specialists --- p.136 / Chapter 7.8. --- Suggestions on Improving the Communication --- p.137 / Chapter 7.9. --- In Service Training for GOPC Doctors --- p.138 / Chapter 8 --- _ Discussion and Recommendation --- p.141 / Chapter 8.1. --- Limitations and Comments --- p.141 / Chapter 8.1.1. --- Representativeness of The Sample --- p.141 / Chapter 8.1.2. --- Response Rate --- p.141 / Chapter 8.1.3. --- Size of The Sample --- p.142 / Chapter 8.1.4. --- Short Duration of the Study --- p.142 / Chapter 8.1.5. --- Discontinuity of Phase One and Phase Two --- p.143 / Chapter 8.2. --- Discussion --- p.144 / Chapter 8.2.1. --- Referral Rate in Hong Kong --- p.145 / Chapter 8.2.2. --- Referral Pattern and Reason of Referral --- p.147 / Chapter 8.2.3. --- Appropriateness of Referrals --- p.149 / Chapter 8.2.4. --- Communication between GOPCs & SOPCs --- p.149 / Chapter 8.2.5. --- In Service Training for GOPC Doctors --- p.150 / Chapter 8.2.6. --- Waiting Time for SOPCs Appointment --- p.151 / Chapter 8.2.7. --- Prescription Rate --- p.152 / Chapter 8.2.8. --- Common Investigations Requested by Specialists --- p.153 / Chapter 8.2.9. --- Factors Associated with Referral Rates --- p.155 / Chapter 8.2.10. --- Factors Associated with Appropriateness of Referrals --- p.157 / Chapter 8.2.11. --- Factors Associated with Timing of Referrals --- p.158 / Chapter 8.3. --- Recommendation --- p.161 / Chapter 8.3.1. --- Further Study in Private Sector --- p.161 / Chapter 8.3.2. --- Further Study in Other Regions --- p.161 / Chapter 8.3.3. --- Further Study on the Appropriateness of those Non-referrals --- p.161 / Chapter 8.3.4. --- Improve Record in Specialist Clinics --- p.162 / Chapter 8.3.5. --- Upgrade of GOPC Drug Formulary --- p.162 / Chapter 8.3.6. --- Standard Referral & Feedback Form --- p.163 / Chapter 8.3.7. --- Shared Care Program between SOPCs & GOPCs --- p.163 / Chapter 8.3.8. --- Medical Record System in GOPCs --- p.163 / Chapter 8.3.9. --- Further Training for GOPC Doctors --- p.164 / Chapter 8.3.10. --- Principal Medical Officer for GOPC Service --- p.164 / Chapter 9. --- Reference --- p.166 / Chapter 10. --- Appendix --- p.173

by Lam Ho Cheung, Andrew. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 1-5 (3rd gp.)). / ABSTRACT --- p.I1-3 / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.II / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.III1-2 / Chapter CHAPTER ONE - --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- The Problem --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- The purpose of the thesis --- p.5 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO - --- PSYCHIATRIC OUTPATIENT SERVICE PROVISION / Chapter 2.1 --- Provision of psychiatric outpatient provision --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2 --- The problem of pattern of consultation --- p.13 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE- --- OBJECTIVES AND HYPOTHESIS SETTING / Chapter 3.1 --- Objectives --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2 --- Definition of essential terms --- p.30 / Chapter 3.3 --- Hypothesis setting --- p.32 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR - --- METHOD / Chapter 4.1 --- Research design and Data collection method --- p.36 / Chapter 4.2 --- Recording schedule design --- p.37 / Chapter 4.3 --- Setting --- p.39 / Chapter 4.4 --- Subjects --- p.40 / Chapter 4.5 --- Data Collection and Processing --- p.40 / Chapter 4.6 --- Data analysis --- p.43 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE - --- DESCRIPTIVE FINDINGS / Chapter 5.1 --- The overall pattern of consultations --- p.45 / Chapter 5.2 --- Diagnostic group of sex and age group --- p.53 / Chapter CHAPTER SIX - --- FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DROP-OUTS OF PATIENTS / Chapter 6.1 --- Background of the drop-outs and the non-drop-outs group --- p.55 / Chapter 6.2 --- Univariate analysis of relationship between various variables and drop-outs --- p.55 / Chapter 6.3 --- Multiple logistic regression model of relationship between drop-outs and various variables --- p.58 / Chapter CHAPTER SEVEN - --- FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PROLONGED & CONTINUED ATTENDANCE / Chapter 7.1 --- Background of the treated & discharged group and prolonged & continued attendance group --- p.62 / Chapter 7.2 --- Univariate analysis of relationship between various variables and prolonged & continued attendance --- p.62 / Chapter 7.3 --- Multiple logistic regression model of relationship between prolonged & continued attendance and various variables --- p.65 / Chapter CHAPTER EIGHT - --- DISCUSSION / Chapter 8.1 --- The overall pattern of consultations --- p.69 / Chapter 8.2 --- Factors associated with the risk of drop-outs --- p.76 / Chapter 8.3 --- Factors associated with the prolonged & continued attendance --- p.80 / Chapter 8.4 --- Implications to service delivery --- p.85 / Chapter 8.5 --- Limitations of this thesis --- p.86 / Chapter CHAPTER NINE - --- CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS / Chapter 9.1 --- Conclusion --- p.90 / Chapter 9.2 --- Recommendations --- p.92 / Chapter 9.3 --- Suggestion for future work --- p.93 / BIBLIOGRAPHY / APPENDIX I - TABLE / APPENDIX II- SAMPLE RECORDING SCHEDULE

A interconsulta cardiológica corresponde a uma parcela considerável das atividades assistenciais e de ensino do cardiologista, refletindo gasto extra de tempo e recursos. Apesar disso, essa atividade não tem recebido a devida atenção da literatura, com poucos estudos sobre o tema. O objetivo do presente estudo foi, primariamente, comparar a evolução clínica dos pacientes envolvidos na interconsulta cardiológica que tiveram as recomendações seguidas pela equipe médica solicitante (grupo ACEITADOR) com aqueles em que as recomendações não foram seguidas (grupo NÃO ACEITADOR). De forma secundária, procuramos identificar as variáveis determinantes da aceitação das sugestões da equipe cardiológica. Para isso, foi realizado um estudo observacional envolvendo pacientes internados no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, para os quais foram solicitadas interconsultas cardiológicas, no período de março a setembro de 2008. Os dados referentes às interconsultas foram coletados pelo investigador de maneira prospectiva a partir do prontuário dos pacientes. Dentre as 589 interconsultas selecionadas para o estudo, 271 consistiam em avaliações clínicas e 318 avaliações pré-operatórias. Em relação à taxa de aceitação das recomendações cardiológicas, 77% dos pacientes foram classificados no grupo ACEITADOR e 23% classificados no grupo NÃO ACEITADOR. A análise da evolução clínica demonstrou que, dentre os pacientes do grupo NÃO ACEITADOR, 38,8% evoluíram de forma desfavorável (piora clínica ou óbito) contra 5,4% dos pacientes do grupo ACEITADOR (P<0,0001). Após análise de regressão logística, pertencer ao grupo NÃO ACEITADOR (P<0,001; OR 10,25; IC 95% 4,45 - 23,62) e a idade dos pacientes (P=0,017; OR 1,04; IC 95% 1,01 1,07) estiveram associados de forma independente a uma evolução clínica desfavorável. Foram identificados quatro preditores independentes de aceitação das recomendações: a realização de visitas de seguimento (P<0,001; OR 2,43; IC 95% 1,48 4,01), reforço verbal das recomendações (P=0,001; OR 1,86; IC 95% 1,23 2,81), número de recomendações sugeridas (P=0,001; OR 0,87; IC 95% 0,80 0,94) e idade dos pacientes (P=0,002; OR 0,98; IC 95% 0,96 0,99). Portanto, na presente análise, a não aceitação das recomendações da equipe cardiológica por parte da equipe médica solicitante esteve associada a uma evolução clínica desfavorável dos pacientes envolvidos. A realização de visitas de seguimento, reforço verbal, número limitado de recomendações e a menor idade dos pacientes estiveram associados a uma maior aceitação das recomendações da equipe cardiológica / Cardiology referral represents an important part of cardiologist activities, accounting for substantial workload and demanding extra time and resources. Despite the importance of these facts, it has received little attention in the medical literature in the last years. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of patients involved in cardiology referral who had the cardiologic recommendations followed by the requesting service (ACCEPTING group) with those whose recommendations were not followed (NON-ACCEPTING group). Secondly, we aimed to determine which of the variables involved in cardiology referral were related to acceptance to consultants recommendations. An observational study was performed at Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, involving cardiology consultations during the months of March 2008 through September 2008. Data regarding consultations were prospectively extracted from the medical records by a physician-researcher. Among the 589 cardiology consultations selected for the study, 271 were clinical evaluations and 318 were preoperative evaluations. Regarding compliance of the referring service in following the recommendations offered by cardiology team, 77% of patients were classified in the ACCEPTING group and 23% in the NON-ACCEPTING group. A clinical outcome analysis was performed and showed that 38,8% of patients allocated to NON-ACCEPTING group had evolved unfavorably (clinical deterioration or death) against 5,4% of patients allocated to accepting group (P<0.0001). After logistic regression analysis, belong to NON-ACCEPTING group (P<0.001; OR 10.25; CI 95% 4.45 23.62) and patients age (P=0.017; OR 1.04; CI 95% 1.01 1.07) were variables independently associated to an unfavorable clinical outcome. The multivariate analysis indentified 4 independent predictors of acceptance to consultants recommendations: follow-up notes in the chart (P<0.001; OR 2.43; CI 95% 1.48 4.01), personal communication (P=0.001; OR 1.86; CI 95% 1.23 2.81), number of recommendations (P=0.001; OR 0.87; CI 95% 0.80 0.94) and patients age (P=0.002; OR 0.98; CI 95% 0.96 0.99). Therefore, in this analysis of cardiology referral, a poorer acceptance of cardiologic recommendations was associated to an unfavorable clinical outcome. Follow-up notes in the chart, personal communication, limited number of recommendations and lower patients age were associated to greater acceptance of cardiologic recommendations

Diss. Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2005.