RESULTS
A total of 87 consecutive referrals were included in the analysis; 29 consult forms and 58 proforma. Of these two groups, none of the referrals in the C group contained all the primary outcome variables,whereas 69.0% (P < 0.001 ) of the P group did. (Table 1) The majority of the secondary outcome variables were more prevalent in the P group of referrals than the C group. (Table 2) Out of the 18 secondary outcome variables, there were only three secondary outcome variables more prevalent in the C group. Two of the three were statistically significant; mode of presentation and referrer details legible. (Table 2) None of these three variables were included in the predetermined primary variables. The differences in referrer service between the two groups were not statistically significant, however house surgeons were significantly overrepresented as referrers in group C. This analysis was impaired by the large number of referrals for which seniority of the referrer was unable to be determined (Figure 1, 2).