Abstract
Background: Knowledge of the pattern of referrals to the Endocrinologist helps in optimizing care and allocating resources. However, there is a dearth of information about the endocrinology outpatient service in a private tertiary setting in sub-Saharan Africa. The study aims to bridge this gap.
Methodology: It is a cross-sectional study. New referrals to an endocrinology clinic were analyzed over 16 months, and the outcomes of interest included the sociodemographic, waiting time, sources of referral, and diagnoses.
Results: The final sample size was 122. The age ranged between 18 and 87 years, and the median age was 55 years. Among the participants, 51.6% were males. The appointment wait time ranged between 0 and 48 days, and the median time was 7 days. Most of the referrals came from the general practitioner clinic (48.4%) and the Cardiology clinic (21.3%). Diabetes mellitus and thyroid diseases were the most commonly seen diagnoses in this study.
Conclusions: The burden of endocrine disorders is huge, mainly from diabetes and thyroid diseases, with referrals coming from different sections of the hospital and from other hospitals.
Recommended Citation
Adegoke, Taoreed; Yvonne Obaitan, Iretenevesho; Deborah Kuku, Oluwatosin; Nlerum, Donald Worlumati; and Agbo-Onche, Gloria
(2025)
"Referral and Consultation at the Adult Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic: A Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study,"
Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research KLEU: Vol. 18:
Iss.
1, Article 9.
Available at:
https://kleijhsbr.researchcommons.org/journal/vol18/iss1/9