Table 1

Children's characteristics.

Children included at cooperativea (n = 53)Interview group 1b (n = 19)Interview group 2c (n = 8)
Age of child, years
 0–432126
 5–111961
 12–16211
Urgency classification16 assigned by triaging assistant
 U1 (life threatening)00
 U2 (acute, assess within 1 hour)52
 U3 (urgent, assess within a few hours for emotional or medical reasons)4416
 U4 (routine, no pressure of time)41
Diagnosis I (CPC code chapters)
 Skin143
 Musculoskeletal93
 Digestive83
 Respiratory742d
 General and unspecified632e
 Eye31
 Ear21
 Psychological2
 Neurological113f
 Male genital system1
 Blood and blood-forming organs1g
Treatment by GPs
 Explanation133
 Explanation and advice136
 Prescription155
 Other treatment93
 Referral22h8
 Unknown1
  • a Data derived from medical records of children's visit to cooperative.

  • b Parents interviewed after visit to cooperative.

  • c Parents of children referred to hospital.

  • d Bronchiolitis.

  • e Viral disease.

  • f Meningitis (n = 2); concussion.

  • g Aplastic anaemia.

  • h Viral disease; clavicular fracture. ICPC = International Classification of Primary Care.