Walton, E. orcid.org/0000-0003-0195-7886, Ahmed, A., Burton, C.D. orcid.org/0000-0003-0233-2431 et al. (1 more author) (2018) Influences of socioeconomic deprivation on GPs’ decisions to refer patients to cardiology: a qualitative study. British Journal of General Practice, 68 (677). e826-e834. ISSN 0960-1643
Abstract
Background Variation in GP referral practice may be a factor contributing to the lower uptake of cardiology specialist services for people living in socioeconomic deprivation. Cardiology referrals were chosen for this study due to higher rates of premature death and emergency admissions resulting from coronary heart disease for patients living in more deprived areas.
Aim To find out how socioeconomic deprivation influences GP referral practice.
Design and setting A qualitative study of GPs working in affluent and deprived areas of one large city in the UK.
Method The authors used purposive and snowball sampling to recruit 17 GP participants to interviews and a focus group. Participants were asked to reflect on their own experience of making referrals. The authors used a framework approach to the analysis, with differences in themes for GPs working in least and most deprived areas being highlighted.
Results The authors identified four main themes by which socioeconomic deprivation influenced GP referral practice: identifying problems; making decisions about referral; navigating the healthcare system; and external pressures. Using a published framework of consultation complexity, the authors then examined the data in relation to a fifth theme of complexity. Referrals from areas of high socioeconomic deprivation involved greater complexity in the majority of the domains of this framework.
Conclusion Socioeconomic deprivation influences GP referral decisions and navigation of the healthcare system in multiple ways. Referral practice for GPs working in deprived areas is more complex than for their peers working in more affluent areas.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2018 British Journal of General Practice. Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Cardiology; coronary disease; family practice; general practice; health literacy; primary health care; referral and consultation; socioeconomic factors |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > The Medical School (Sheffield) > Academic Unit of Medical Education (Sheffield) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number ROYAL COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS SFB/09/13 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 01 Feb 2019 16:01 |
Last Modified: | 22 Oct 2019 00:40 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp18X699785 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Royal College of General Practitioners |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.3399/bjgp18X699785 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:141914 |