Morbidity profile and pharmaceutical management of adult outpatients between primary and tertiary care levels in Sri Lanka: a dual-centre, comparative study
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Primary and tertiary care outpatient departments in Sri Lanka show differences in morbidity duration and type, but not multimorbidity. Pharmaceutical management varied, with primary care using more medications per encounter.
Area Of Science
- Health Services Research
- Comparative Effectiveness
- Pharmaceutical Management
Background
- Outpatient care is crucial at primary and tertiary levels, yet evidence on differences, especially in South Asia, is limited.
- This study addresses the gap by comparing adult outpatient morbidity and pharmaceutical management between primary and tertiary care in Sri Lanka.
Purpose Of The Study
- To describe and compare the morbidity profile (presenting morbidities, comorbidities, multimorbidity) of adult outpatients.
- To compare the pharmaceutical management (patterns, indicators) of adult outpatients.
Main Methods
- A comparative study involving 737 adult outpatients from primary and tertiary care facilities in Sri Lanka.
- Data collected via self-administered questionnaires and data sheets for outpatient and prescription information.
- Statistical analyses included Chi-square and Mann‒Whitney U tests for comparisons.
Main Results
- Outpatient cohorts were predominantly female and middle-aged. Tertiary care showed longer symptom duration (10 vs. 3 days).
- Primary care OPDs most commonly saw respiratory symptoms, while tertiary care OPDs saw dermatological symptoms. Noncommunicable disease prevalence was similar, with significant differences only in diabetes.
- Primary care OPDs had higher medicines per encounter (3.86 vs. 3.47), with higher prescribing of corticosteroids and vitamin supplements not aligning with morbidity.
Conclusions
- Morbidity profiles differed in duration and type between primary and tertiary care outpatient departments, but not in multimorbidity or most comorbidities.
- Pharmaceutical management varied, particularly in the number of medicines per encounter and specific drug categories prescribed.
- Findings support healthcare planning and suggest future research directions for primary care.
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