Philips H, Van Bergen J, Huibers L, Colliers A, Bartholomeeusen S, Coenen S, Remmen R. Agreement on urgency assessment between secretaries and general practitioners: an observational study in out-of-hours general practice service in Belgium.
Acta Clin Belg 2015;
70:309-14. [PMID:
25819448 DOI:
10.1179/2295333715y.0000000017]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
In some European countries telephone triage (TT) during out-of-hours primary care showed to be safe and effective. Other countries, such as Belgium, may not have trained auxiliary personnel while their national health services want to establish TT.
OBJECTIVES
To compare urgency levels assessed by secretaries and general practitioners in one general practice cooperative in Belgium.
METHODS
Percentage of correct-, under-, and over-triage were calculated in total and per reason for encounter. Inter-rater agreement was investigated.
RESULTS
The secretaries correctly triaged (same urgency level) 77% of the telephone calls, under-triaged 10% and over-triaged 13%.'Shortness of breath', 'skin cuts', 'chest pain', 'feeling unwell' and 'syncope' were often under-triaged.
CONCLUSION
Before introducing TT, auxiliary staff should be trained and protocols should be used.
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