Reference no: EM133730575
Assignment:
Relate/compare to other journal reading
Chronic health conditions are complex and required multidisciplinary care from different specialist. In my experience during my clinical rotation, patients with cardiovascular conditions usually needs closely interdisciplinary collaboration between primary care and cardiologist. I had a patient who went for physical annual examination after 3 years, the EKG was shown irregular regular heart rhythm, so atrial fibrillation was suspected, and he was referred to cardiology for evaluation.
Studies and research have shown patient's cardiovascular conditions improved with effective interprofessional collaboration; hence, appropriate referral help encourage the patient's chronic health status positively (Céline Bouton, Angibaud, Huon, & Rat, 2023). However, existing barriers prevent the implementation of effective referral systems such as health coverage eligibility, coordination among the referral systems, communication and feedback between primary healthcare providers and referral systems, and the facility's protocols (Seyed-Nezhad, Ahmadi, & Akbari-Sari, 2021). At the clinic that I spent one of my clinical at, electronic referral is utilized to enhance the patient's follow-up care by the referred specialist, and the systems work effectively.
The article by Seyed-Nezhad and their co-authors emphasizes the electronic referral system helps reduce unnecessary visits, waiting time, and improve the quality of care (2021). At my clinical site, the referral process starts with the order from the healthcare provider then the referral coordinator will look for the appropriate specialist based on the patient's preference, location, or the clinician's recommendation. When the referral is sent, the patient should get response from the specialist's facility by phone call to confirm the appointment date. Also, the patient should get information regarding the referral appointment such as health coverage eligibility and copay (Seyed-Nezhad, Ahmadi, & Akbari-Sari, 2021). The article by Seyed-Nezhad and their co-authors states that to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the referral systems, the personnel involved should enroll in continuous training regarding referral system reforms, new referral policies, and structural forms (2021).
After the referral appointment, any test results or recommendations should be communicated back to primary care provider so that patient's plan of care is updated according to the new plan (Seyed-Nezhad, Ahmadi, & Akbari-Sari, 2021). The primary provider should analyze any new medication interaction with the current medication regimen and ensure the patient therapeutics care plan is maintained.
In Massachusetts, to ensure the patient's successful follow-up and referral completion of mental health, especially when behavioral crisis occurs, the Department of Mental Health (DMH) developed the Strategies to Reduce Wait Times and Enhance Access to Behavioral Health Services that ensure the patient can get immediate access to acute care with plan or inpatient mental health facility after being discharged (Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, 2023). In addition, another program in MA which is Achieving the Triple Aim: Success with Community Health Workers to help the community finding appropriate resources and referral program for their chronic condition that aim to reduce cost, improve quality of care, and healthcare access (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2015).