Single-entry models (SEMs) for scheduled services: Towards a roadmap for the implementation of recommended practices.

BACKGROUND

Long waiting times for elective services continue to be a challenging issue. Single-entry models (SEMs) are used to increase access to and flow through the healthcare system. This paper provides a roadmap for healthcare decision-makers, managers, physicians, and researchers to guide implementation and management of successful and sustainable SEMs.

METHODS

The roadmap was informed by an inductive qualitative synthesis of the findings from a deliberative process (a symposium on SEMs, with clinicians, researchers, senior policy-makers, healthcare managers, and patient representatives) and focus groups with the symposium participants.

RESULTS

SEMs are a promising strategy to improve the management of referrals and represent one approach to reduce waiting times. The SEMs roadmap outlines current knowledge about SEMs and critical success factors for SEMs' implementation and management.

CONCLUSIONS

This SEM roadmap is intended to help clinicians, decision-makers, managers, and researchers interested in developing new or strengthening existing SEMs. We consider this roadmap to be a living document that will continue to evolve as we learn more about implementing and managing sustainable SEMs.