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16/10/2012
Online Referral System Could Cut GP Referrals By 20%
A new internet referral system, which allows GPs to put questions to a consultant about a patient through an electronic form, has the potential to cut unnecessary referrals by family doctors.
The referrals to out-patient clinics, emergency departments and other areas could be cut by almost 20%, according to a new study.
Consultant neurologist Professor Niall Tubridy at St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin designed the “Neurolink” system.
The new electronic form takes around three minutes to complete by the GP.
The consultant can then log on to the system, view the referral and send back a reply, suggesting advice on treatment or referral to the hospital for further investigation.
The average response time by the consultant is just over 19 hours.
The results of the Neurolink project, published in the latest Irish Medical Journal, shows that over 600 neurology patients (20%) a year did not need to go to hospital for specialist checks.
This freed up those outpatient places for over 600 other patients.
The most common GP queries were for suspected epilepsy, migraine and multiple sclerosis.
The study said the system could be rolled out around the country across many specialities and could reduce pressure on an already overburdened health system.
(H)
The referrals to out-patient clinics, emergency departments and other areas could be cut by almost 20%, according to a new study.
Consultant neurologist Professor Niall Tubridy at St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin designed the “Neurolink” system.
The new electronic form takes around three minutes to complete by the GP.
The consultant can then log on to the system, view the referral and send back a reply, suggesting advice on treatment or referral to the hospital for further investigation.
The average response time by the consultant is just over 19 hours.
The results of the Neurolink project, published in the latest Irish Medical Journal, shows that over 600 neurology patients (20%) a year did not need to go to hospital for specialist checks.
This freed up those outpatient places for over 600 other patients.
The most common GP queries were for suspected epilepsy, migraine and multiple sclerosis.
The study said the system could be rolled out around the country across many specialities and could reduce pressure on an already overburdened health system.
(H)
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