Résumé :
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[BDSP. Notice produite par INIST-CNRS R0x5HfY6. Diffusion soumise à autorisation]. Background The current model of general practitioner referral of patients to hospital specialists in the UK is sometimes associated with unnecessary duplication of investigations and treatments. We aimed to compare joint teleconsultations between general practitioners, specialists, and patients (virtual outreach) with standard outpatient referral. Methods Virtual outreach services were established in London and Shrewsbury. The general practitioners referred 3170 patients, of whom 2094 consented to participate in the study and were eligible for inclusion. 1051 patients were randomly assigned virtual outreach, and 1043 standard outpatient appointments. We followed up the patients for 6 months after their index consultation. The primary outcome measure was the offer of a follow-up outpatient appointment. Analysis was by intention to treat. Findings More patients in the virtual outreach group than the standard group were offered a follow-up appointment (502 [52% ] vs 400 [41% ], odds ratio 152 [95% Cl 127-182], p
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