Managing Waiting Lists

[johngr]

Hi folks
I work limited hours per week in a rural public hospital setting. Referrals outstrip by far my available time, and whilst I utilise a triage system, this denies access to services for the "chronic" clients. What other strategies are others using to manage waiting times, and/or is there any supportive evidence for effective strategies in managing waiting times
Cheers
John

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[BarbForr]

John
Until recently I also worked in a hospital setting with a waiting list challange. One of the most effective strategies we developed to handle the lower priority referrals were to develop classes. We had a basic quick screening assessment designed to rule out inappropriate patients, and standard education and group exercise classes, the programs were typically 3 one hour blocks, and were designed to lump patients with common conditions together for group treatment. We had classes focused on shoulder and back and found that one physio could handle 6-8 patients this way. Clients were given self management and home exercise programs and had the option of being returned to the wait list if they failed to manage on their own (although they were aware their chances of being seen for conventional therapy were quite low). Additionally we found that even streaming the higher priority patients into therapy blocks once they were subacute to be a very effective time management strategy. We would have blocks for hips/ knees/ shoulders were the larger numbers of clients would all arrive at the same time and begin work on exercises, I would then individually address and give hands on treatment as needed to clients with in the context of this block. In terms of triaging patients I know there was a good article on this in the British Medical Journal within the last 6-8 months, but I cannot remember the details, but I am sure a search of their site would bring it up easily.
Good luck

Barb