Referral letters are inadequate

EDITOR,—Paul Little and colleagues' finding that when patients present with acute back pain most general practitioners do not routinely examine them for muscle weakness and sensation1 agrees with a recent audit that we have performed to assess the contents of referral letters sent to a back clinic. We were concerned about the rising number of referrals and the fact that the accompanying referral letter was often inadequate. An audit of 153 consecutive letters showed that age was given in 44 letters and occupation in 49. Twenty one commented on the duration of symptoms and 29 on the onset of the current problem. Only 11 letters mentioned bowel or bladder function. The outcome of any previous treatment was reported in only 29 cases. Findings on examination were given in 86 letters, but any special tests were mentioned in only 40.

It is disappointing to learn from Little and colleagues' survey that existing guidelines on the management of back pain2 do not seem to be acted on. For those surgeons who are receiving an increasing volume of referrals for back pain the referral letter is of paramount importance: it is our only clue about the urgency with which an appointment must be offered. If no comment is made about any clinical findings, deciding this is not easy. We plead for improved letters.