Synopses & Reviews
This book examines the best ways to provide primary care at nights and weekends. There has been increasing demand from patients for out-of-hours care, and a great reorganisation of primary care services outside normal surgery hours. Different models of organisations are being tested, including primary care centres and nurses giving telephone advice. This book examines the tensions between public and professional expectations, and describes the range of options for providing services, with examples of good practice. It reviews the evidence about what works best, and the issues to consider in setting up different services. The contributors combine experience in organising, researching, evaluating and providing out-of-hours care, and offer practical advice, critical analysis and a political perspective. The book is an accessible and valuable contribution to this increasingly important aspect of healthcare. It is essential reading for all practitioners, managers and researchers in primary care, public health, Accident and Emergency departments, pharmacy, community nursing and ambulance services.
Synopsis
This book focuses on care provided by or on behalf of general practitioners, as they are the main providers of out-of-hours services. It provides evidence of an increasing disparity between the demands from patients and the expectations of doctors.