Communication of adverse drug reactions between the hospital health care team and general practitioners: how effective is it?

Aim: To assess the communication format for adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports between the hospital and the general practitioner (GP). Method: The research group conducted a survey to evaluate the ADR reports sent from the hospital pharmacy department to the patient's GP. The survey, by questionnaire, sought to determine satisfaction with the format of the report and an indication of the usefulness of this report to the GP. Every GP who had received an ADR report in the previous 11 months was sent the questionnaire, a blank ADR report and a return envelope. A computer database was used to collate the results. Results: The survey was sent to 106 GPs; 47 replies were received, a response rate of 44%. Sixty eight per cent (32/47) remembered receiving the ADR report and all these GPs used the report in patient care plans. Fifty nine per cent (19/32) of GPs were not aware of the reported ADR from any other source. Four GPs (13%) had previously been aware of the reported ADR prior to the patient's admission to hospital although the hospital was not. Forty seven GPs commented on the format of the ADR report and the majority considered the format suitable and sufficiently detailed; however, 19% (6/32) felt the drug in question should be more clearly highlighted and 53% requested the report be typed. Conclusion: ADR reports from this Area Health Service are useful to GPs and well received by them. Improvement of communication of ADRs across the hospital-community interface is required. The results of the survey will also form a platform for discussions with the Central Coast Division of GPs. (author abstract)