Referrals and investigation patterns in a family physician group: questions for teaching cost containment.

Analysis of laboratory use and referrals within a family practice teaching group showed large differences in physicians' behavior. There were three- to four-fold differences between physicians, both for the number and the costs of laboratory use and X-ray services. There were equally large variations in the types of referrals (to medical, dermatologic, obstetric and gynecologic, surgical, ophthalmological and psychological services). There was no consistent pattern for any physician: that is, if a physician used laboratory investigations often, that physician might seldom use X-ray services or might refer fewer patients to specialists. These results have major implications for teachers and for teaching cost containment.