Background: In orthopaedic clinics, patients can be x-rayed during their visit to the surgeon. Could radiographs carried out in primary care be more efficiently carried out when the patient meets the surgeon?
Aims: To quantify and describe use of radiological investigations by general practitioners (GPs), when referring to orthopaedics.
Methods: We made a retrospective examination of 294 referral letters for detail regarding x-ray investigation of the condition prompting the letter. We used referral letters assessed by the recipient as 'routine'. We excluded those addressed to a particular surgeon because of subspecialty interest or prior care.
Results: Twenty one percent (62) of referrals described an investigation that did not contribute to management prior to the patient's clinic appointment.
Conclusions: A significant number of patients travelled specifically for an x-ray. In some of these cases the radiographs could be delayed until the clinic visit without compromising care.
Discussion: We suggest that GPs seeing patients with musculoskeletal problems should consider referral to an orthopaedic surgeon prior to requesting x-rays. X-ray investigation in the orthopaedic clinic may be more convenient for the patient and surgeon.