Postgraduate Researchers in Science Medicine Conference 2005: Abstracts
GP referrals to a specialist breast clinic: outcomes of a three-year review
Barralet C, Holcombe C & Scutt D
Aims: The purpose of this study was to (i) examine the origin and age distribution of patients referred to a new patient rapid diagnosis clinic between 2001 and 2003, (ii) determine the proportion of referrals that confirmed a normal diagnosis after clinical examination alone, and compare this to a 1998 study (iii) determine the patient outcomes, particularly numbers of breast cancer diagnoses.
Methods: This study included women age 20 and over who were referred to the clinic in a teaching hospital with a symptomatic breast complaint by a GP between 2001 and 2003.
Results: There were 7408 referrals made to the new patient rapid diagnosis clinic between 2001 and 2003. The mean age at referral was 45 years. There were 347 referrals diagnosed with breast cancer, 1977 diagnosed normal (including 667 referrals where the diagnosis was made after clinical examination alone) and 3888 referrals were diagnosed with a benign breast condition. There was wide variation in rate of referral across the age groups of the women referred to the unit, with the highest rate (34.02 referrals per 1,000 registered female patients) in the age group 40-49 years.
Conclusion: This confirms anecdotal evidence that prompted this study and has generated useful information for service improvement within the unit.
Claire Barralet, Medical imaging, University of Liverpool, 28 Brooklands Road, Parkgate, Neston CH64 6SW
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