Table 2

Comparison between the source of referral, in 196 visits according to ED visit hours*

The referring practitioner

"Working hours"**

"Out of hours"

Total

The Family practitioner

125 (87.5%)

22 (41.5%)

147

By ambulance

16 (11%)

19 (36%)

35

Other practitioner***

2 (1.5%)

12 (22.5%)

14

Total

143 (100%)

53 (100%)

196

* – p < 0.0001 ** – "working hours" visits – when the visit was during the working hours of primary care clinics in the community *** – private practitioners, and out of hours commmunity emergency clinics

Vinker et al. BMC Family Practice 2004 5:16   doi:10.1186/1471-2296-5-16