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    GP Letter Writing in Colorectal Cancer: A Qualitative Study

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Jiwa, Moyez
    Burr, Jennifer
    Date
    2002
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
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    Citation
    Jiwa, Moyez and Burr, Jennifer. 2002. GP Letter Writing in Colorectal Cancer: A Qualitative Study. Current Medical Research and Opinion 18 (6): pp. 342-346.
    Source Title
    Current Medical Research and Opinion
    DOI
    10.1185/030079902125000886
    ISSN
    0300 7995
    Faculty
    School of Nursing and Midwifery
    Faculty of Health Sciences
    Western Australian Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care (WACCP)
    School
    WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care (WACCPC)
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/47623
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Background: The usual mode of communication with the specialist in the UK is a referral letter. Letters now primarily document the GPs' concerns for the patient and are no longer required to persuade the specialist to offer an appointment. The content of referral letters from GPs has failed to satisfy specialists responding to a series of surveys. Evidence suggests that GPs who improve their letters to specialists also refer more cases with significant pathology.Aims: The aims of this research are to explore the factors that may influence GPs in writing the referral letter when consulting patients presenting with lower bowel symptoms.Methods: A convenience sample of twelve GPs was interviewed in Nottinghamshire and inner city Sheffield practices. A framework approach was utilised in the analysis of data. Data from the interviews followed the prescribed steps, including: familiarisation, identifying a thematic framework, indexing, charting and mapping, and interpretation.Results: The thematic framework reflected four major themes. These were: (1) the nature and content of referral letters, (2) knowledge about colorectal cancer, (3) issues relating to the quality of referral letters in colorectal cases and (4) factors that effect the use of guidelines for referral.Conclusions: GPs only have very short consultations in which to address many and complex issues. Pre-referral assessment in colorectal cases includes intimate examination of the patient. Therefore the writing of the letter of referral is often postponed until long after the patient has left the GP's office. Some GPs do not believe the consultant reads the letter of referral. However, GPs are keen to provide best care and welcome feedback about the quality of their letters. They acknowledge the responsibility to communicate with colleagues effectively and have differing ideas about what constitutes an adequate referral letter.

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    • Referral letters to colorectal surgeons: the impact of peer-mediated feedback
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      BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) select few patients for specialist investigation. Having selected a patient, the GP writes a referral letter which serves primarily to convey concerns about the patient and offer ...
    • Which symptomatic patients merit urgent referral for colonoscopy? A UK general practice perspective
      Jiwa, Moyez; Gordon, M.; Skinner, P.; Olujimi Coker, A.; Colwell, B.; Kenny, R.; Shaw, L.; Campbell, M. (2007)
      Objectives: To review the assessment of patients as documented in general practitioners' (GPs') referral letters for urgent and routine referrals to colorectal surgeons. Method: We report data for consecutive referrals ...
    • Quality of Information on Referrals to Colorectal Surgeons: Towards Consensus
      Jiwa, Moyez; Mathers, N.; Walters, S. (2002)
      Objectives: To produce a valid, reliable instrument to gauge the extent to which GPs document relevant signs, symptoms and risk factors in referral letters to colorectal surgeons.Design: GPs and colorectal surgeons were ...
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