Referrals and relationships in Sri Lankan general practice

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Medical Practice
• Public Health

Background:

• General practitioners (GPs) in Sri Lanka face challenges in referral processes.
• Effective communication between GPs and secondary care is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze referral patterns and communication frequency between GPs and other healthcare providers in Sri Lanka.
• To identify factors influencing the perceived value of interprofessional communication.
• To propose strategies for enhancing the referral system and professional relationships.

Main Methods:

• A detailed questionnaire survey was administered to 347 general practitioners from professional bodies in Sri Lanka.
• A follow-up questionnaire was sent to 123 responders two months later to gather further data.
• Data collected included referral numbers, contact occurrences, and perceived value of communication.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of referrals to and from GPs lacked any form of contact.
• 20% of referrals to secondary care services also reported no contact.
• The frequency and perceived value of interprofessional contacts were documented.

Conclusions:

• Communication breakdowns exist within the Sri Lankan GP referral system.
• Improving communication channels and perceived value of contact is essential for GPs.
• Recommendations are discussed to enhance referral patterns and interprofessional relationships among Sri Lankan GPs.