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oa How well do GP's and Hospital Consultants in Qatar Interacts? A Survey of the Professional Relationship
- Source: Qatar Medical Journal, Volume 2005, Issue 1, Jun 2005, 7
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- 01 June 2005
Abstract
The study involved 196 participants, 83 (42.3%) of which were consultants and 113 (57.7%) were General Practitioners (GP's).
Background: The way that GP's and hospital consultants or specialists interact has important implications for any health care system in which a GP is the first contact health professional person for patients and the point of access to relatively scarce and expensive hospital services, for this reason, the relationship between the two main branches of the medical profession has received a considerable amount of interest.
Objectives: To test out some professional issues on a random sample of both parties to determine their ability to work together productively.
Methods: We conducted a lickert-style survey based upon statements made in qualitative questionnaire sent to GP's and specialists working at Hamad Medical Corporation and health centers in state of Qatar. The questionnaire was modified and validated during a multistage pilot and was distributed to a stratified random sample of 196 clinicians.
Results: GP's and consultants demonstrated a good level of agreement, mutual understanding and respect (Significant difference in opinion only in four statements out of 13).
Conclusion: The ability of GP's and specialists to work together has been tested out and confirmed with acceptable significance and it may be repeated to assess the relationship which is central to an efficient and effective operation of health care delivery.