Evaluation of standards of practice for general practitioners using eight hypothetical cases
Tilyard, M.W.; Dovey, S.M.
New Zealand Medical Journal 103(900): 498-500
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-8446 PMID: 2234640 Document Number: 349960
Concerns about the quality of primary care in New Zealand have increased over recent years as the scarcity of research in this field has become more apparent. A survey was undertaken among 132 general practitioners in Otago and Southland to gauge the degree of consensus of care for eight hypothetical cases. An 87.3% response rate was obtained. The year of graduation of the respondents was a significant factor in determining the response to the choice of management options for the paediatric sore throat and the benign hypertension cases. A variation in treatment of a 65 year old with epigastric pain was seen between rural and urban practitioners, with the cluster containing the most rural practitioners being least likely to undertake detailed diagnostic procedures.