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Reducing Waiting Times: Using an Opt‐In System and Changing Prioritisation Criteria
Author(s) -
Woodhouse Anne E.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
child and adolescent mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1475-3588
pISSN - 1475-357X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-3588.2005.00372.x
Subject(s) - attendance , psychological intervention , waiting list , outcome (game theory) , psychology , service (business) , medicine , operations management , nursing , business , marketing , surgery , transplantation , economics , economic growth , mathematical economics , mathematics
Background: The Highland Clinical Psychology Service for Children and Young People, faced with excessive waiting lists, a large geographical remit, and only three psychologists, sought to change waiting list management to improve services. Method: An opt‐in appointment system and outcome research were used to inform waiting list management. Referrals with the characteristics of cases where psychological interventions are helpful were prioritised over cases that had characteristics of poor outcomes. Results: Attendance at first appointments was significantly increased and waiting times were significantly reduced. Conclusions: The success of the opt‐in system replicated research in other CAMHS. It is also hypothesised that the new waiting list prioritisation criteria had an effect, although this needs further research. Issues associated with the change in waiting list prioritisation are discussed and it is suggested that prioritising treatable cases over complex cases is an appropriate, effective and ethical use of scarce resources.