Tools to improve referrals from primary care to specialty care.

摘要: OBJECTIVES Referrals from primary to specialty care are a critical first step in coordination of care, but shortcomings the appropriateness, clarity, or completeness referrals common. We examined (1) whether 3 tools coordinate associated with better referral characteristics and (2) greater perceived helpfulness these is among specialists who use all them. STUDY DESIGN National online survey about medical receiving Veterans Health Administration. METHODS Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for associations between (service agreements, templates, e-consults) frequency (appropriateness, completeness). RESULTS Among (N = 497), templates was perceptions that were more frequently appropriate (adjusted OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0-2.4), clear 1.6; 1.0-2.5), complete 1.9; 1.1-3.2). Use e-consults frequent clarity 1.7; 1.0-3.0). using tools, those reporting very helpful also 3.1; 1.1-8.5) 3.6; 1.5-8.7). Service agreements not any characteristic. CONCLUSIONS Well-designed may help improve care-specialty referrals. Existing provide models can be adapted collaboration broadly applied Work needed impact service on