GPs' views of quality initiatives to improve stroke outcomes following carotid endarterectomy

BACKGROUND: General practitioners' satisfaction with previous referral of patients may influence their future specialist referral patterns. METHOD: A postal survey of 123 GPs assessing satisfaction with discharge planning and communication from operating surgeons for patients following carotid endarterectomy. General practitioners' views of quality indicators for patient referral also were assessed. RESULTS: General practitioners were significantly more likely to be 'very satisfied' with the level of communication from the operating surgeon (83%) than the discharge planning (65%), (p < 0.001). The most highly ranked quality indicator for use in referring a patient for carotid endarterectomy was the 30 day postoperative complication rate per surgeon (n = 69, 56% 'very useful'). Over one-third (35%) remembered seeing the relevant guidelines for GPs. DISCUSSION: General practitioners value information about surgeon performance when making referral decisions. They are less satisfied with discharge planning than other aspects of care.