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QE-Mail--improving communication between the hospital and general practitioners
K A Hutchinson1, S M Cotter, W B Dollman
1Queen Elizabeth Hospital, South Australia.
Australian Family Physician
|July 1, 1997
Summary
A new therapeutic bulletin, QE-Mail, successfully improved communication between primary and secondary care providers. General practitioners found the bulletin useful, indicating a need for continued development in key areas like antibiotics and antidepressants.
Area of Science:
- Health Communication
- Medical Information Dissemination
Background:
- Effective communication between primary and secondary care is crucial for patient outcomes.
- Existing communication channels may not adequately inform general practitioners (GPs) about current hospital practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a therapeutic bulletin (QE-Mail) to enhance communication between primary and secondary care.
- To assess GP response to the bulletin and identify their information needs.
Main Methods:
- A clinical panel selected bulletin topics.
- Content was researched using standard sources and expert input.
- A survey was distributed to GPs and Directors of Nursing with the first bulletin edition.
Main Results:
- The survey achieved a 41% response rate.
- Most respondents found the bulletin useful and its presentation suitable.
- Suggested future topics included antibiotics, antihypertensives, and antidepressants.
Conclusions:
- QE-Mail was well-received and effectively informed GPs about hospital practices.
- Future plans include email distribution and follow-up surveys to ensure ongoing relevance.