Aim
We aimed to introduce a low‐cost combined online referral and immediate appointment selection system (CORIAS) to empower referrers and parents by allowing them to schedule an appointment at a time and location of their choosing in conjunction with the referrer at the time of referral. This was because an unacceptably high rate of reported lost referrals, combined with a high rate of failure to attend initial appointments (FTAs), was noted at a six‐site community paediatric clinic service. We aimed to analyse the impact of CORIAS on important outcomes including timely appointment scheduling, attendance, loss of referrals, user acceptance, overall cost and administrative burden.
Methods
For 3‐month periods before and after the implementation of CORIAS, data were collected regarding all new referrals received and initial appointments scheduled, as well as reports of lost referrals. The number of attended initial appointments, FTAs, failures in successfully scheduling appointments, referrer background, CORIAS cost and qualitative feedback received from relevant parties was collated and analysed.
Results
The proportion of referrals reported lost was 6% following the implementation of the combined online system in comparison to 17% pre‐implementation. The FTA rate for scheduled initial appointments pre‐implementation was 16%; post‐implementation, the FTA rate was 9%. Qualitative benefits included a decrease in the administrative burden associated with appointment scheduling and increased service access for culturally and linguistically diverse families.
Conclusion
Appropriately designed and implemented novel online systems may improve timely and equitable access to health care by providing secure, reliable pathways for referrers and by empowering and improving communication with patients and families.