Impact of Single Entry Models on Patient Access to Specialty Care
The need:
Long wait times for specialist consult and care are a pressing issue for British Columbians that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In effort to improve patient access, the Specialist Services Committee launched an initiative to enable groups of specialists to create ‘single entry models’ with their colleagues, in which a single queue is created to see the next available specialist. They needed help to examine the delivery of the initiative and determine the effectiveness of the models.
What we did:
Working alongside initiative staff and an Evaluation Advisory Committee, we designed a process and outcome evaluation. Interviews, focus groups and surveys were completed with a wide range of players to provide a comprehensive assessment and opportunities for triangulation. Wait time data was pulled from specialists’ electronic medical records and the BC Surgical Patient Registry to assess changes following model implementation. Our analysis and actionable recommendations supported the Doctors of BC and Ministry of Health to adapt the initiative and identify next steps for transforming specialist care to improve patient access.
Services:
Process Evaluation
Outcome Evaluation
Impact Areas:
Patient Access
Health Care Transformation
What our client had to say:
"We partnered with Catalyst Consulting to help complete an evaluation of the Enhancing Access program, a Specialist Services Committee (SSC) sponsored initiative. Catalyst Consulting was monumental in helping develop the framework, plan, measurement tools and reporting to review the program and make recommendations that have helped improve its service delivery. Catalyst Consulting was organized, knowledgeable and responsive to our needs. I would highly recommend Catalyst Consulting to my colleagues and look forward to working with them again in the future."
GARTH VATKIN, PORTFOLIO LIAISON, DOCTORS OF BC
