Referral patterns and the referral system for oral surgery care. Part 2: The referral system and telemedicine

OBJECTIVE: To investigate GDP opinions of the current referral system and to investigate the need and demand for telemedicine in oral surgery referrals. DESIGN: Postal questionnaire. SETTING: 400 GDPs in Greater Manchester. RESULTS: 84% participation rate. 48% were not satisfied overall with the service of their current specialist oral surgery referral site. The principal reason was the length of the waiting time for consultation and treatment. Distance for patients to travel to the specialist unit was also of concern, even though most patients (89%) travelled short distances (return journey of twelve miles or less). 23% of respondents wished to improve their ability to communicate with the oral surgeon and 70% wanted involvement in the patient consultation. Both of these requirements were more likely in younger practitioners. CONCLUSION: There is a need and demand for change in the referral system for oral surgery specialist care. Telemedicine could conceivably be one way to improve access to specialist oral surgery care.