Evaluation of the referral management systems (RMS) used by GP practices in Northumberland: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Exploring the views of stakeholders to the referral management systems (RMS) used by GP practices in Northumberland, UK to evaluate its perceived effectiveness.

Design

This was an in-depth qualitative semi-structured interview study.

Participants and setting

32 participants (GPs, hospital consultants, referral support, hospital managers, Clinical Commissioning Group manager) in the North East of England, UK.

Method

Interviews using a grounded theory approach and thematic analysis.

Results

The main benefit of RMS mentioned by participants was that it allowed for unnecessary referrals to be vetted by consultants, and helps ensure patients are sent to the correct clinic. Generally, the consultants in our study felt that RMS did not significantly h

SUBMITTER: Dew R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6629383 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature