BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVE: Referrals to paediatric orthopedists for physiologically normal conditions consume limited resources and delay care for patients. The goal of the present study was to formally define such referrals and determine their prevalence. METHODS: A retrospective review evaluated consecutive referrals to a single tertiary paediatric orthopedic centre over two eight-month periods. Referrals from family physicians and paediatricians were retained for analysis. Physiological referrals were defined as a final orthopedic diagnosis of 'within physiological norms'; and no scheduled follow up. RESULTS: Physiological conditions represented 22.5% of referrals. The type of referring physician did not determine referral quality. Flat foot, intoeing and genu varum/valgum exhibited physiological referral rates that exceeded 40%. CONCLUSION: Physiological referrals constitute a large portion of the outpatient paediatric orthopedic practice and represent a substantial unnecessary cost to the Canadian medical system. Future strategies to improve referral quality should target undergraduate and postgraduate musculoskeletal education.
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVE: Referrals to paediatric orthopedists for physiologically normal conditions consume limited resources and delay care for patients. The goal of the present study was to formally define such referrals and determine their prevalence. METHODS: A retrospective review evaluated consecutive referrals to a single tertiary paediatric orthopedic centre over two eight-month periods. Referrals from family physicians and paediatricians were retained for analysis. Physiological referrals were defined as a final orthopedic diagnosis of 'within physiological norms'; and no scheduled follow up. RESULTS: Physiological conditions represented 22.5% of referrals. The type of referring physician did not determine referral quality. Flat foot, intoeing and genu varum/valgum exhibited physiological referral rates that exceeded 40%. CONCLUSION: Physiological referrals constitute a large portion of the outpatient paediatric orthopedic practice and represent a substantial unnecessary cost to the Canadian medical system. Future strategies to improve referral quality should target undergraduate and postgraduate musculoskeletal education.
Entities:
Keywords:
Family medicine; Medical education; Orthopedic surgery; Paediatrics; Public health
Authors: Gabriel Gijon-Nogueron; Alfonso Martinez-Nova; Pilar Alfageme-Garcia; Jesus Montes-Alguacil; Angela Margaret Evans Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-04-14 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Marie O Mir; Ciara Cooney; Cliona O'Sullivan; Catherine Blake; Paula Kelly; Pat Kiely; Jacques Noel; David Moore Journal: J Child Orthop Date: 2016-04-02 Impact factor: 1.548