Consensus among clinicians on referrals’ priority and use of digital decision-making support systems

Mariotti, Giuliano; Siciliani, Luigi; Rebba, Vincenzo; Coretti, Silvia; Gentilini, Maria

doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2022.07.003

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 34 publications

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“…The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis has underlined the importance of common criteria for establishing clinical priorities to avoid delays in diagnostic pathways for non-COVID-19 diseases such as cancer [7]. This highlights the relevance of HWG criteria in contemporary health policies and the need for efficient "demand management" tools in the healthcare system [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Homogeneous Waiting Group Criteria in Patient Referrals: Views of General Practitioners and Specialists in South Tyrol, Italy

Piccoliori,

Wiedermann,

Barbieri

et al. 2024

Healthcare

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Homogeneous waiting group (HWG) criteria are central to the patient referral process, guiding primary care physicians and hospitalists in directing patient care to specialists. This cross-sectional observational study, conducted in South Tyrol, Italy, in 2023, aimed to assess the implementation and impact of HWG criteria on healthcare from the perspective of general practitioners and hospital physicians. A questionnaire was developed to gain knowledge about referral practices as perceived by general practitioners and specialists. The survey included 313 participants (82 general practitioners and 231 hospital physicians) and was designed to capture a range of factors influencing the application of HWG criteria, including communication and collaboration practices. The results showed moderate levels of familiarity with HWG criteria and opinions about the need for criteria refinement among hospitalists, indicating that further education and refinement of these criteria are warranted. Both general practitioners and hospital physicians expressed dissatisfaction with the current specialist referral system, highlighting the significant gaps in effective communication and collaboration. The survey also demonstrated the influence of patient demands and waiting times on referral practices, and the need for streamlined and accessible specialist care. This study highlights the need for improvement and adaptation of HWG criteria to better meet the needs of healthcare providers and patients in South Tyrol. By addressing the identified gaps in communication, collaboration, and education related to the HWG system, the efficiency, effectiveness, and patient-centeredness of the referral process can be improved, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%