She said any differences in her referral pattern stemmed from such factors as patients' preference and managed care agreements.

The reported increase is largely attributable to changes in diagnostic practices, referral patterns, availability of services, age at diagnosis, and public awareness.

There were several reasons for anticipating a change in referral patterns after April 1991.

Another source of bias might be changing referral patterns within Oxfordshire.

Perinatal mortality rates should be adjusted for case mix and referral patterns to get a meaningful result.

When a doctor's prescribing and referral patterns diverge significantly from the norm, a senior doctor might ask why.

"We'll be looking to see where those referral patterns lead us."

Because the appendix is a piece of intestine, it follows a similar referral pattern.

"The change in referral patterns could be the final straw," he said.

One of the most common pain referral patterns occurs during a heart attack.