Routine surgical follow up: do surgeons agree?

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Abstract
The move to primary care led purchasing in the NHS1 is focusing attention on the role of outpatient review, especially for postoperative patients. General practitioners have questioned whether such routine reviews could be reduced, describing them as of limited clinical value and a waste of patients' time.2 Some surgeons agree, noting that most patients' postoperative problems are identified by general practitioners before their appointment.3 The limited evidence available suggests that there are indeed opportunities for change. A randomised controlled trial comparing postoperative follow up in outpatient clinics and general practice found no difference in readmission rates or mortality, and patients were equally satisfied with either method.4 The general practice option was, however, cheaper for both the patient and the …