Abstract
A postal questionnaire was sent to 33 urologists and to 15 general surgeons who perform prostatic surgery in Scotland. Forty-six out of 48 surgeons replied. The waiting time for outpatient consultations and waiting list statistics of the respondents were compared. Differences in access to and use of imaging, laboratory and urodynamic facilities are reported. Waiting times were affected by the individual surgeon's policy. In busy units, the desire to achieve acceptable waiting times may lead to rationing of treatment to only the most severe cases. Better provision and use of modern investigational facilities might better select those patients who will benefit most from surgical management, leading to more effective use of resources. Medical audit of surgical patients must start from the time of their referral and not confine itself to patients undergoing treatment.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Caine M., Pfau A., Perlberg S. The use of alpha-adrenergic blockers in benign prostatic obstruction. Br J Urol. 1976 Aug;48(4):255–263. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-410x.1976.tb03013.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Chisholm G. D. Benign prostatic hyperplasia: the best treatment. BMJ. 1989 Jul 22;299(6693):215–216. doi: 10.1136/bmj.299.6693.215. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Graversen P. H., Gasser T. C., Wasson J. H., Hinman F., Jr, Bruskewitz R. C. Controversies about indications for transurethral resection of the prostate. J Urol. 1989 Mar;141(3):475–481. doi: 10.1016/s0022-5347(17)40864-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Neal D. E., Ramsden P. D., Sharples L., Smith A., Powell P. H., Styles R. A., Webb R. J. Outcome of elective prostatectomy. BMJ. 1989 Sep 23;299(6702):762–767. doi: 10.1136/bmj.299.6702.762. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]