Family Medicine Residents' Perception of Attitude Towards Request for Referral in Out-patient

ABSTRACT

BACGROUND After amendment of the national health insurance law to enforce and reform primary health care, the number of family medicine out-patients was increased. Some patients requested referral. Therefore, this study was made to reveal family medicine residents'perception of attitude towards request for referral. METHODS: The self-administered questionnaires were collected by post mailing (July 1 to July 30, 2002) and by e-mailing (July 25 to August 10, 2002). The questionnaire contained the followings general characteristics, issues of referral request, influence of referral request in training, and influence in private family clinics. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 22.2% (93/418). Patients need was the most common cause of referral (62.0%). Among the total, 46.2% of respondents gave answers that increasing number of patients at the family medicine out-patient clinic was beneficial in increasing their experience. Also, 55% of respondents replied that the present state of family medicine out-patient system influenced lowering of motivation in training. Overall, 63.4% of respondents replied that the present state of family medicine out-patient system led a trend of distrust to private family clinics. CONCLUSION: Patients request was the most common cause of referral in family medicine out-patient clinic. The present state of referral system in family medicine out-patient clinic influenced lowering of motivation in training and a trend of distrust to private family clinics.