Derivaciones directas vs. indirectas a rehabilitación desde atención primaria

Abstract

We studied the referral to rehabilitation of patients affected by joint pain and enthesophatiy directly from Primary Care or by an orthopaedist. The aim of the study is to compare waiting times following direct referral from a primary care physician to rehabilitation, with those following indirect referral, that is, arriving at Rehabilitation after orthopaedist consultation. We also studiet the orthopaedist consultation contribution apart from increased delay. The goald of this paper is to seek improved effectiveness of referral. Material and methods We selected 787 patientes referred to Rehabilitation between July 2007 and July 2008 due to musculoskeletal pathology. These were then grouped into two categories, 239 related to patients whose referral via orthopaedist is irrefutable, and 548 wich we call “Joint and Enthesophaty”. Of these 548, 66% came from orthopaedist (Indirec referral) and 34% were referred directly from Primary Care. We described the patients charactheristics and discussed the orthopaedist consultation contribution to those patients who were indirectly referred. Results and conclusion Direct referral from Primary care to Rehabilitation for Joint Pain and Enthesophaty can help avoid unnecessary delais and duplicateds consultation.