Referral mismanagement systems
BMJ 2013; 347 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f7014 (Published 22 November 2013) Cite this as: BMJ 2013;347:f7014- John Dean, consultant cardiologist, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK
- lub.dub{at}virgin.net
Referral management systems are teams led by general practitioners that aim to improve the efficiency of referrals from primary care to specialists. But the evidence seems clear: they do not improve access; they increase costs; and they preferentially target high referrers, not the worryingly low ones.1
Referral rates to clinics can vary 10-fold between general practitioners working at the same practice. And it drives those of us who work in these clinics nuts. The rapid access chest pain assessment clinic that I help run has clear …
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