[An analysis of the interconsultations and complementary tests requested by a health center in a 3-year period]

We report the results of a study aiming at the description and analysis of the interconsultations and laboratory studies at secondary level from the family medicine and pediatrics practices during 1986, 1987 and 1988. 87.8% of the referrals were made from general practices and 12.2% from pediatric practices. The family doctors referred 6.23%, 7.13% and 6.22% of the consultations from 1986, 1987 and 1988, respectively, while the pediatricians did so in 3.50%, 3.94% and 3.40%. A mean of 4.12% of consultations were referred to the secondary level. Laboratory studies were requested in 6.7% of the overall consultations and radiological studies in 1.93%. Ophthalmology, obstetrics-gynecology, otorhinolaryngology, traumatology and dermatology were the five more often consulted specialities. We emphasize the usefulness of this type of studies to identity possible areas for updating and for assignation of human resources.