Patient and practitioner views of a new rheumatology (Tier 2) primary care service

Ball, E; Critchley, S

Abstract

The rheumatology Tier 2 service in Oldham was
implemented to see patients in a primary care
setting for their initial assessment. They were treated
and discharged within the service, or referred on to
secondary care in order to limit inappropriate
attendance in secondary care and fast-track patients
with inflammatory disease to the rheumatology
consultant. The aim of this study was to evaluate
patients’ and general practitioners’ (GPs’) views
about the transfer of rheumatological services
from secondary to primary care. Patients and GPs
were from a single primary care trust in Oldham,
north west England. A thematic analysis of interview
data was taken, and findings showed high
patient satisfaction with the service, favouring the
primary care environment to a hospital setting. GPs
reported on cost-effectiveness of the service and
better management of the disease. The Tier 2 service
has the potential to set a new direction for multiagency
care within a primary care setting.

Citation

Ball, E., & Critchley, S. (2007). Patient and practitioner views of a new rheumatology (Tier 2) primary care service. Quality in Primary Care, 15(2), 101-106

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2007
• Deposit Date: Jul 21, 2010
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 5, 2016
• Journal: Quality in Primary Care
• Print ISSN: 1479-1072
• Publisher: Radcliffe Medical Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 101-106
• Keywords: patient perspective, primary/secondary; care interface, rheumatology care, waiting times
• Publisher URL: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/rmp/qpc/2007/00000015/00000002/art00007
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