In 2003 we asked GPs to tell us how the NZ Medical Specialists & Hospitals Directory is used in their practice, how useful they find the directory and what they like about it. Over 300 GPs from around New Zealand participated in the survey.

We asked GPs how useful they find the directory - 93% find it either Extremely Useful or Useful.

60% of GPs tell us this is the only referral directory / resource they use.

We asked GPs how often they use the directory - 51% use it at least once a week.
87% of GPs use the directory at least once a month
84% of GPs told us that they mostly use the directory to find individual specialists

We asked GPs to estimate the average number of total referrals made using this directory - 42% estimate they use the directory for more than 20% of their referrals.

‘Easy to find what you need - well laid out.'
Dr R. Alberts

‘Comprehensive and up to date.'
Dr T. James

'I don't know many Specialists, so good to know who's available.'
Dr A. Scott

'Coming from a smaller province where Specialists are limited, we find this invaluable for identifying specialists outside the province.'
Dr L. Soffie

'Summary of subspeciality and interests of individual Specialist.'
Dr M.L.Vaughan

'Arrangement by area, field of speciality, details of specialist interests of major use to new doctors in area.'
Dr A. Hawkins

'It's very easy to use - well categorised.'
Dr A. Narayan

'Not only do you list the area of speciality e.g. O&G but also areas of special interest / expertise.'
Dr L. Ashby

Every completed GP Survey form that was returned to us went in the draw to win a case of premium wine. The winner of the GP draw for the 13th Edition of the Medical Specialists Directory NZ was Dr. O. Samin of Auckland.

For the 13th Edition we also held a separate survey for Specialists, this was won by Dr D.A. Farnell from Tauranga.

Practice Managers who completed the Practice Managers survey forms were posted an additional copy of the directory at the end of April 2005.