Baseline Survey on Referrals and Healthcare Provider Needs in View for an Electronic Referral System

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Public Health Systems
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Paper-based patient referral systems present challenges in completeness and standardization.
• Effective referral systems are crucial for patient continuity of care and health system efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the current paper-based referral system's formats and completeness in Kigali.
• To assess healthcare providers' needs for designing an effective electronic referral system.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed in eight public health facilities in Kigali city.
• Analysis included identifying referral letter formats, assessing completeness of the external transfer form, and conducting focus group discussions with healthcare providers.

Main Results:

• Seven distinct referral letter formats were identified, with the external transfer form averaging 58.8% completeness.
• Of 61 elements on the external transfer form, 38 were proposed as mandatory and 23 as optional.
• Focus group discussions revealed consensus on some elements and disagreements on others, highlighting user-specific needs.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the existing paper-based referral system's deficiencies.
• Healthcare provider input is essential for designing a user-centered and efficient electronic referral system.
• Findings will inform the development of an improved electronic referral form to enhance patient referral processes.