European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PROFILE OF REFERRED PATIENTS ATTENDING OUT PATIENT DEPARTMENT OF TERTIARY CARE INSTITUTE

Muneer A Bhat, Haroon A Rashid, Sadaf Ali*, Farook A jaan,
G H Yatoo Shahnawaz Hameed

ABSTRACT

Healthcare is the largest industry in the world. An observational study was undertaken for one year from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2010 to examine the referral system in Kashmir Valley of India on. Demographic distribution of the referred patients revealed that there were 3039 (52.2%) males and 2781(47.8%) females. 3639 (62.5%) belonged to rural back ground while 2181 (37.5%) were from urban background. 4166 (71.6%) were having medical problems and 1654 (28.4%) were surgical patient. Regarding referral of patients from various healthcare facilities the study revealed that only 172 (3%) patients attending the referral clinic were from Sub Centers.217(3.7%) patients were referred from allopathic dispensaries while 670(11.5%) were from Primary Health Centres.1666(28.6%) patients were having no proper referral documents and had attended the referral clinics on their own. Regarding reasons for referral of patient’s non availability of facilities at lower centres were cited by 1646 (28.3%) patients. 1561(26.8%) gave non availability of expertise as a reason for their referral. Lack of advanced treatment was cited as a reason for referral by 1151(19.8%) patients. 1116 (19.2%) patients wanted second opinion and attended referral clinic for the same. Non availability of equipment was cited a reason for referral by 346 (5.9%) patients.

Keywords: patients, clinic, medical problems.