Assessment of patient records in Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic in 2003

Background and Aim: The importance of medical records is continuously increasing both for the researchers and primary care physicians in terms of preventive and curative health care services and cost-effective practice. A good medical record system is required to improve the quality of primary care services and to increase patient satisfaction and to organize follow-ups.Materials and Methods: In our study, we retrospectively assessed 770 patient files of Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine Adana Trade Chamber Yalim Erez Health Center Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic to draw a patient profile in primary care in randomly selected four months of the year 2003. Data was installed in computer using 'Uysal WebPatient 1.0' program. Reasons for encounter (RFE) and diagnosis were coded using ICD-10.Results: The mean age of the patients was 21,9 ± 19,4 years and 65,3% of them were female. The most common RFE were coughing, respiratory abnormalities and fever. The most common diagnosis were acute upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections and hypertension. Of visits, 42% were made by 0-14 age group patients and at most (28,9%) by 0-4 age group patients.Conclusions: Medical records should be revised periodically to improve the quality of primary health care services and the patient profile should be drawn.Key Words: Family Medicine, Medical Records, ICD-10.