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Open access endoscopy--a nationwide survey of current practice
1Department of General Medicine, Middlesbrough General Hospital, Cleveland.
Gut
|February 1, 1992
Summary
Open access endoscopy is growing, with 47% of surveyed UK gastroenterology units offering it in 1990. However, most units used
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Endoscopy Services
Background:
- Open access endoscopy allows direct patient referral for endoscopic procedures.
- The availability and implementation of open access endoscopy services varied significantly in 1990.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the adoption and characteristics of open access endoscopy services in the UK.
- To identify barriers and variations in the provision of open access endoscopy.
Main Methods:
- A postal survey was conducted in 1990 among 450 members of the Endoscopy Section of the British Society of Gastroenterology.
- Respondents reported on the types of open access endoscopy offered, staffing, and referral/management practices.
Main Results:
- 47% of respondents offered some form of open access endoscopy, primarily gastroscopy.
- Only 10% provided 'true' open access, with others using 'censoring' methods.
- Inability to cope with patient numbers was a major reason for not offering the service (71%), with 52% of providers experiencing waiting lists over six weeks.
Conclusions:
- Open access endoscopy was expanding in 1990, but its implementation was inconsistent.
- Variations in practice and consultant attitudes, alongside capacity concerns, influenced service availability.
- Despite challenges, the trend indicated increasing availability of open access endoscopy services.
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