Consultation, waiting, prescribing and referral patterns: some methodological considerations.

摘要: This paper addresses the question of how large a sample is necessary before valid conclusions can be drawn with regard to average waiting and consultation times prescribing referral patterns for individual doctors. The statistical techniques plotting cumulative means these measures in relation size, along formula using maximum available mean/standard error measure at this size was used determine 'stabilization values' (minimum sizes which statistically predetermined degree certainty) regarding measures. Using techniques, stabilization values 120 time, 200 mean 170 pattern 490 were determined data collected by 136 experienced general practitioners during 40,363 consultations context UK practice. Confident cannot from studies examining unless least documented have been used.