Refer to sender

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Primary Care Medicine
• Health Informatics

Background:

• General practitioners (GPs) often exhibit skepticism towards demand management strategies.
• Effective referral management is crucial for optimizing primary care resources and patient pathways.
• The implementation of digital referral systems presents opportunities for improved data collection and analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a co-operative venture in addressing GP skepticism towards demand management.
• To evaluate the utility of the Choose and Book system in managing referrals and collecting data.
• To demonstrate how collaborative approaches can improve healthcare system efficiency.

Main Methods:

• A co-operative venture was established between GPs and a primary care trust.
• The Choose and Book system was implemented for referral management.
• Data collection and analysis were performed using the Choose and Book system.

Main Results:

• GP skepticism concerning demand management was successfully addressed through the collaborative initiative.
• The Choose and Book system proved effective in managing referrals.
• Data collection and analysis were streamlined, providing valuable insights.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative ventures between GPs and primary care trusts can effectively overcome skepticism towards demand management.
• The Choose and Book system is a valuable tool for referral management and data analysis in primary care.
• Integrating digital systems and fostering cooperation enhances healthcare efficiency and patient care.