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Reducing geriatric outpatient waiting times: Impact of an advanced health practitioner
Author(s) -
Saxon Robyn L,
Gray Marion A,
Oprescu Florin I
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12459
Subject(s) - medicine , context (archaeology) , triage , referral , intervention (counseling) , geriatrics , outpatient clinic , health professionals , health care , emergency medicine , family medicine , nursing , paleontology , psychiatry , economics , biology , economic growth
Objective To investigate the impact on patient waiting times of a role substitution model introducing an advanced allied health practitioner as the first point of contact within a geriatric outpatient context. Methods A pre‐ to postintervention design was used to determine impact over a five‐year period (2008–2012). All patients referred to the geriatric specialist outpatient department were included (n = 1514). Data relating to waiting times were analysed using one‐way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests to determine effects on patient waiting times. Results Waiting times were reduced from an average of 82 to as low as 35 days, in a context of increasing referral rates. Medical specialist capacity was increased through improvements to available outpatient times and reduced appointment lengths. Patients seen within their designated triage category timeframe increased from 47 to 86%. Conclusion Health professional substitution in geriatrics can be an effective intervention for reducing patient waiting times and improving access to care.