TY - JOUR T1 - Communication between primary care and physician specialist: Is it improving? JO - Revista de Calidad Asistencial T2 - AU - Biagetti,B. AU - Aulinas,A. AU - Dalama,B. AU - Nogués,R. AU - Zafón,C. AU - Mesa,J. SN - 1134282X M3 - 10.1016/j.cali.2015.04.002 DO - 10.1016/j.cali.2015.04.002 UR - https://www.elsevier.es/es-revista-revista-calidad-asistencial-256-articulo-communication-between-primary-care-physician-S1134282X15000809 AB - Background and objectiveEfforts have recently been made in Spain to improve the communication model between primary care and specialized care. The aim of our study was to analyze the impact of a change in the communication model between the two areas when comparing a traditional system to a consulting system in terms of satisfaction of general practitioners and the number of patient referrals. MethodsA questionnaire was used to assess the point of view on the relations with the endocrinologist team of 20 general practitioners from one primary care center at baseline and 18 months after the implementation of the new method of communication. In addition, we counted the number of referrals during the two periods. ResultsWe analyzed 30 questionnaires; 13 before and 17 after the consulting system was established. Consulting system was preferred to other alternatives as a way of communication with endocrinologists. After the consulting system was implemented, general practitioners were more confident in treating hypothyroidism and diabetes. There was a decrease in the number of patient referrals to specialized care from 93.8 to 34.6 per month after implementation of the consultant system. ConclusionsThe consultant system was more efficient in resolving problems and responding to general practitioners than the traditional system. General practitioners were more confident in self-management of hypothyroidism and diabetes. A very large decrease in the number of patient referrals was observed after implementation of the consultant system. ER -