Authors' recommendations: This briefing represents a broad overview of the available evidence. We anticipate examining some of this evidence in more detail once the topics of most interest to local decision-makers are defined. In the emergency department setting, there is limited evidence to suggest that GPs order fewer tests, admit fewer patients and make fewer referrals than emergency care professionals. Other workforce models that have been implemented successfully include emergency care practitioners and emergency department nurse practitioners. We found no evidence evaluating models in which GPs are more closely integrated with the emergency department. These are known to exist but formal published evaluations are lacking. Several of the systematic reviews included in this briefing provide some cost information but overall reliable evidence on cost effectiveness is lacking. The limited evidence base for many interventions reinforces the need for careful evaluation of any new or modified services.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2013

URL for published report: http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/pdf/Urgent%20care%20systems.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: University of York

Contact Address: University of York, York, Y01 5DD, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 1904 321040, Fax: +44 1904 321041,

Contact Name: crd@york.ac.uk

Contact Email: crd@york.ac.uk

Copyright: University of York