Access to diagnostic tests during GP out-of-hours care: A cross-sectional study of all GP out-of-hours services in the Netherlands.

Background: In general practice, excluding serious conditions is one of the cornerstones of the consultation. Diagnostic tests are widely used to assist the decision-making process in these cases. Little is known about general practitioners' (GPs) access to diagnostic tests at GP out-of-hours services.

[Diagnostic tests in GP out-of-hours services in the Netherlands].

Objective: To determine GPs' access to diagnostic tests (medical imaging, laboratory tests, and point-of-care tests) during GP out-of-hours care in the Netherlands and to assess whether access differs between services located adjacent to or separate from an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Method: In 2014 we invited all GP out-of-hours services in the Netherlands to participate in a survey on GPs' access to diagnostic tests in Dutch GP out-of-hours services.

[Point-of-care testing in family practices: present use and need for tests in the future].

Objective: To provide insight into the current use, future needs, and attitudes towards point-of-care testing among Dutch family practitioners.

Design: Cross-sectional online survey.

Method: We performed a survey among 2129 Dutch family practitioners.