From emergency department to general practitioner: evaluating emergency department communication and service to general practitioners

Abstract

Objective: To survey general practitioners' (GPs) opinions of communication and service received from the ED of a tertiary metropolitan hospital.

Methods: Analysis of a postal survey form sent to 380 GPs in the hospital catchment area.

Results: One hundred and forty-seven completed questionnaires (39%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 34-44%) were returned. Seventy-eight GPs (53%, 95% CI 45-61%) endorsed the current method of discharge letter delivery by patient; however, 43 (29%, 95% CI 22-37%) stated that letters were often not received. The most commonly proposed alternative to patient delivery was facsimile transmission. One hundred and thirty respondents (88%, 95% CI 83-94%) rated the overall standard of communication from ED as average or better; however, 64 (44%, 95% CI 36-52%) felt that important information was omitted from the discharge letter. One hundred and seventeen (79%, 95% CI 73-86%) GPs found the ED admitting officer role useful when referring patients. Fifty-nine (40%, 95% CI 32-48%) respondents cited difficulties accessing investigation results. The predominant source of patient dissatisfaction reported by GPs was excess waiting times.

Conclusions: Half of GPs surveyed supported the current system of patient delivered discharge letters and of those who did not the majority preferred faxed discharges. There was little support for email communication. GPs reported problems with the current communication system including discharge letters not reaching GPs and deficiencies in the discharge information. GP reported substantial difficulties in accessing outstanding investigation results. Most GPs felt that assessment and treatment of their patients in the ED was of above average quality, as was the overall service they received from the ED. There was GP support for the ED admitting officer role.