Choice of care for minor trauma: hospital or general practice?

Abstract

This paper analyses the question whether minor trauma should be treated in hospital or general practice. It shows what kind of data are necessary and that this data can be obtained from different countries, with basic similarities in their health care system. In a period of tight budgets there is a tendency to focus on a narrow economic analysis. This article, however, shows the complexity of the simple question of where minor trauma should be treated and stresses other important aspects which should supplement an economic analysis. These aspects are illustrated with data from different investigations in Denmark and the United Kingdom.