Gatekeeping by GPs and Consultants: Role of Practitioners
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Gatekeeping by GPs and Hospital Doctors: Role of Practitioner Characteristics
IRAS ID
136521
Contact name
Barry McCormick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
CHSEO
Research summary
Questions for investigation:
1) Do the characteristics of the GP account for some of the variation in GP referrals?
2) Is there a relationship between GP characteristics and variation in referrals that result in elective admission; the issue being how far a consultant’s willingness to treat is dependent on the GP referral rate (i.e. less willing for high GP referral rates, more willing for low GP referral rates)?
3) Do consultant characteristics influence their criteria for selecting patients for treatment?The aim is to equip commissioners with a better understanding of (a) the variations in referral rates (using the GP marker on HES records) and (b) variations in treatment rates following referral, as a means of identifying opportunities for referral management. Additionally, better information in this area will help drive improvements in greater equity in secondary care provision.
The HES data is needed to exploit the data already available from the General Medical Council on clinician characteristics.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0812
Date of REC Opinion
18 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion