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Analysis of institutional authors

Páez Borda A.AuthorSáenz Medina J.Author

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Adequacy of referral from primary care to a department of urology

Publicated to:Actas Urologicas Espanolas. 31 (10): 1166-1171 - 2007-01-01 31(10), DOI: 10.1016/s0210-4806(07)73780-4

Authors: Páez Borda A; Redondo González E; Ríos González E; Linares Quevedo A; Sáenz Medina J; Castillón Vela I

Affiliations

Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada - Author

Abstract

Objetive: To indirectly address the adequacy of referrals from general practitioners (GP) to specialized care taking into account a previously agreed protocol on ten urological topics. Materials & methods: The study analyzed all referrals to the Urology department originated in 10 primary care centres (135 GPs involved) throughout a 19-month period. Adequacy of 2841 referrals was checked. The urologist judged the referral as compliant (adequate) or not compliant (inadequate) with the terms of the protocol. Compliance per primary care centres was compared. Also referral adequacy corrected per centre and clinical topic was compared. The relationship between "absolute number of referrals" and "adequate referrals" was tested using a linear regression model. Results: 57.2% of the referrals were inadequate. Overall, no significant differences were detected between primary care centres. Nevertheless significant differences between centres were evident in terms of referrals due to renal colic and female urinary incontinence. 70% (94/ 135) of the GPs complied with the protocol in, at least, 50% of the cases. A strong association between "absolute number of referrals" and "adequate referrals" was evident (r2=0.86). Conclusions: Overall compliance with the protocol was modest. While no significant differences between centres were detected in terms of adequacy of referrals certain conditions have to be locally revisited; most of the topics (particularly microhematuria) have to be revisited in every center.

Keywords

Clinical efficiencyClinical protocolsDiagnosticsGuideline adherenceHospital departmentsHumansManagementPrimary health careReferral and consultationUrologic diseasesUrology

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Actas Urologicas Espanolas, Q3 Agency Scopus (SJR), its regional focus and specialization in Urology, give it significant recognition in a specific niche of scientific knowledge at an international level.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 1.02, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jun 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-06-19, the following number of citations:

  • Scopus: 10
  • Europe PMC: 5
  • OpenCitations: 10

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-19:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 17 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Páez Borda, Álvaro) .