Abstract
To quantify the monthly inter-clinic rate (MIR), the medical reports received, their quality and the period of delay until the first second-level consultation. Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Rural health centre. 498 first consultations requested of the second level by three family medicine lists between June and November 1999. 132 were excluded for presenting a criterion of exclusion (consultations within the second level, check-ups, appointments missed by the patient and consultations that could not be recorded), which left a sample size of 366. Mean MIR was 34 . Ophthalmology (21.9%), gynaecology (15.3%) and traumatology (13.9%) were the most commonly requested services. 69 reports (18.8%) were received, leaving 297 (81.2%) not received. Pneumology (100%) and internal medicine (81.8%) services sent through most reports, whereas haematology and rehabilitation (0%) sent through least. The mean score on the reports was 8 +/- 2 out of a maximum of 10. Mean delay was 73 +/- 46 days. The monthly inter-clinic rate found was within the figures cited in the literature. The percentage of reports received was way below what was found in the literature, but their quality was good.
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