e-Referral services (4)

Process of e-Referral services

Appointments can be made by phone, online or through the app. And when we talk about the e-referral process, it means that the doctor or the person in charge of the reception located in the level 1 center can make appointments from the level 2 or 3 centers.

The Ministry of Health intends to provide a kind of integrated and electronic infrastructure to take turns in the easiest and best possible way and in coordination with all levels. As example MHRS project is one of implementation from countries.

This plan is implemented with the aim of integrating information and managing shifts in an integrated manner at all levels. For this purpose, electronic queuing systems are needed to be able to manage this information.

The admission appointment system can provide the infrastructure so that the appointments of the centers at different levels are coordinated and ready to receive the patient in a coordinated and non-interfering manner.

Process of e-Referral services:

After establishing the system in the center in level 1, when the patient was examined by a physician and the electronic record of the patient’s health was completed, and finally it was decided that the patient should be referred to a specialist, the physician or receptionist electronically From the appointment system, it sees the reception of the centers and specialists in all the level 2 or 3 centers that it covers, and takes turns according to the opinion of the doctor or the patient himself.

The appointment is informed with the patient’s details and is registered in the system. The patient can cancel or relocate. The referral officer then refers the patient to a higher-level center with a tracking code. After the examination, the specialist doctor completes the patient’s electronic file, and two things happen:

Either the patient is treated by the same doctor and the case is returned to the same level 1 for follow-up, or the patient needs to continue the treatment process at a higher level or the same level, in which case it is the same as the previous appointment to the center. Or another doctor will be referred.

Medical centers from the perspective of the e-referral services:

Level 1: Health centers, health houses, general practitioners’ offices

Level 2: Specialized hospitals, special clinics, specialized centers, specialist doctors’ offices

Level 3: subspecialty hospitals, subspecialty centers, subspecialty physicians’ offices, organ transplant centers, nuclear medicine centers, oncology centers

The distinguishing feature of e-referral services scheduling:

The difference and change that is going to happen in the new health plan is more focused on the fact that people can be more productive in their treatment process, lose less time and receive a service that has the most to do with their problem has it.

On the other hand, what is significant is the follow-up treatment process that occurs from level 1, fortunately, this process can be very effective in improving and preventing disease in patients.

Another benefit of this plan is the universal health insurance coverage plan. In health insurance, all the treatment steps that are performed for patients in hospitals and centers that have implemented the e-referral services plan are covered by insurance.

Maryam Ghalandari