Abstract
Background: Effective communication between various sectors is a crucial factor in the delivery of good quality health care. The Sheffield Assessment Instrument for Letters (SAIL) uses a consensus framework to look at letters between General Practitioners and hospital specialists and is considered as a valid indicator of written communication with families of sick children.
Aims: To assess the quality and content of outpatient clinic (OPC) letters between primary and secondary care by using SAIL as a framework in a district general hospital setting.
Methods: 200 OPC letters dictated by consultants and middle grade doctors in training were randomly assessed using SAIL by 3 assessors. Data was analysed using Microsoft excel.
Results: Documentation of history and examination was appropriate in most letters (96% and 81% respectively). 85% of letters contained a medical problems list. In only 34% letters, all doses of medication were clearly stated in formal units. An adequately justified clear plan to investigate (or not to investigate) was evident in ∼50% of the letters. Follow up were recorded in 99% of letters. The mean of the checklist score was 14.8 for Consultants and 14.9 for middle grade doctors. (P = not significant).
Conclusion: Further improvement in clear documentation of medication/doses as well as information shared with the families is warranted. SAIL can be used as a valuable tool to assess effective written communication. SAIL can be used as one of the assessment tools for paediatric trainees as well as part of revalidation kit for Paediatricians in future.
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Ahmed, M., Akhtar, B., Aleshaa, H. et al. 1275 Are We Sailing Smoothly?. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 631–632 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-01275
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-01275