• Alexander D L Laschke, Jan Blaakær, Charlotte Floridon Jensen, and Mette Bach Larsen.
• Speciallægeselskabet Alexander Laschke ApS, Aabenraa, Denmark.
• Scand J Prim Health Care. 2023 Mar 1; 41 (1): 526052-60.

BackgroundThere are large differences in the density of Resident Specialists in Gynaecology (RSG) in the various regions of Denmark. It is unknown if this inequality affects the General Practitioner (GP) referral patterns of gynaecological patients.ObjectiveTo investigate the GP referral patterns of gynaecological patients to the RSG or to the Hospital/Outpatient Clinic (HOC) in specific situations according to the regional density of RSGs. Moreover, to examine whether GPs prefer to refer to the HOC or to the RSG, or whether they were treated by the GP depending on the density of RSGs, specifically, in six benign gynaecological diagnoses.DesignA cross-sectional questionnaire survey.SettingIn Denmark, GPs serve as gatekeepers to secondary care, being responsible for referrals to resident specialists and in- and outpatient hospital care.SubjectsFive hundred Danish GPs were randomly selected and invited to take part in the questionnaire study. Main outcome measurements: Referral patterns: Own treatment, RSG, or HOC.ResultsGPs prefer to refer their gynaecologic patients to RSGs rather than to HOCs. In addition, the study shows the higher the density of RSGs, the more gynaecological patients are referred to the RSG. This also applies to the six diagnoses examined.ConclusionTo allow patients' equal access to specialist care, the density of RSGs must be equal all over the country.

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