Many patients face long waiting times for outpatient and community health care. Waiting for services can result in physical deterioration and reduced engagement in services, and has also been associated with anxiety and decreased levels of community participation. Strategies most commonly used for managing waitlists and reducing waiting time in health services are often ineffective.
For over 10 years, our team at La Trobe University and Eastern Health have been working on evidence-based strategies to reduce healthcare waiting times.
Traditionally health service providers have managed demand for services by putting new patients onto waiting lists. By pulling together a range of evidence from around the globe as well as the findings from our research, we have developed a model that presents a practical and effective alternative to ensure patients get access to the care they need, when they need it.
If you are struggling to provide health services in an outpatient or community setting in a timely manner, “Specific Timely Appointments for Triage” or STAT, could be your answer.
