"A family doctor can do that!" Is there a role for a formalized referral network for office procedures in family practices of Newfoundland and Labrador?

• Main Author: Loveys, Annabeth J
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Scholarship@Western 2015
• Subjects: Family practice; office procedures; colleague referral; referral network; mixed methods; descriptive qualitative; Family Medicine; Canada; Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/3408; https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/context/etd/article/5058/viewcontent/ALOVEYS____22A_family_doctor_can_do_that__22_Is_there_a_role_for_a_formalized_referral_network_for_office_procedures_in_family_practices_of_Newfoundland_and_Labrador.pdf

Office procedures are an important part of the comprehensive care package provided by family physicians. Every family physician cannot feasibly perform every office procedure. A cadre of family physicians drawing upon each other’s procedural skills has the potential to improve patient care and enhance physician satisfaction. A mixed methods approach was used to explore potential clinical and educational roles of a formalized referral networkfor office procedures in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. In a quantitative study, using a self-administered survey, family physicians identified that while there are procedures being performed in family practice, there is a discrepancy between the demand for, and performance of, office procedures. Respondents also identified interest in colleague referralfor office procedures. In a subsequent descriptive qualitative study, using focus groups of family physicians, participants suggested that colleague referral would be beneficial if supported by the entire medical community, accepted by patients, and implemented effectively.