Endoscopy gives a more accurate diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal pathology than barium studies. General practitioners should be able to request this valuable diagnostic service so that a rapid diagnosis would ensure that patients with dyspepsia are not treated empirically with expensive drugs and that patients with carcinoma or ulcer receive prompt and appropriate therapy. This paper examines the Changi Hospital's open-access endoscopy service to the local general practitioners and government outpatient doctors working at nearby outpatient dispensaries, and will serve to underline the value of such a service and why it obviates that long queue for the barium meal appointment.
Study site: Surgical outpatient clinic, Changi Hospital, Singapore