Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Findings in an isolated rural general practice

Results of 646 consecutive oesophagogastroscopies performed by general practitioners in an isolated rural practice were analysed and compared with a larger series (1409) of 'open access' endoscopies performed by gastroenterologists. Positive findings were recorded in 49.3 per cent of the series. The 'open access' gastroenterologist series reported 61 per cent positive findings.