New Zealand general practitioners ’ non-urgent referrals to surgeons: who and why?

Aim To describe the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients referred by general practitioners (GPs) to both public and private sectors for non-urgent surgical assessment. Method During 2004, a cohort of 1420 adult patients with the potential to benefit from elective surgery was recruited into the study by their GPs. GPs recorded patient demographics and reasons for referral. Results 345 out of 828 eligible GPs (42%) agreed to participate in the study and submitted data on 1603 referrals, 2.4 referrals per reporting week. After excluding ACC cases, data on 1420 referrals were analysed. Forty-two percent of those referred were male and 69 % were European New Zealanders. The mean age was 55 years. The largest number of referrals were made to general surgery (37%), followed by orthopaedics (19%), gynaecology (12%), and plastic surgery (10%). The modal level of urgency was “routine ” and in 24 % of cases cancer was a possibility. The GP felt surgery was needed in 47 % of cases, while in 73%, assistance with diagnosis an