Healthcare Matching - A Value Creating Service

• Background: Long waiting times have been a significant problem in theSwedish health care system. A lack of matching of pathways of care has ledto long waiting times for patients, increasing medical risk and contributingtowards less effective capacity utilisation. There are different pathways into theelective healthcare system in Sweden, some via referral from a physician andothers via referral written by the patient. Other ways are through the districthealth authority or the emergency ward. As patients move from one providerto another, the complexity of matching patients and their records acrosshealthcare organisations increases.Study Question: To discuss the need, and barriers, for healthcare matching inthe Swedish healthcare.Methods: The research was inspired by engaged scholarship a participativeform of research for obtaining different perspectives of key stakeholders inthe study of complex problems.’ (Van de Ven 2007). There was collaborationbetween the medical practice and academia interacting with practitioners inthe Skåne and Halland regions. The study draws on the concepts of matching,cooperation and coordination. A detailed reading of patient statements fromSwedish healthcare studies was performed. Analysis of the experiences of Skåneregion patient coordination was also performed.Results: Coordination of patients took place across different boundaries inhealthcare. Patient statements expressed a need for matching.Conclusions: There seems to be a need for healthcare matching. Thecoordination of patients and referrals could be improved by better matchingpatients to appropriate physicians.Health Policy Implications: Healthcare matching affects organisational andtechnical systems and professional identity. In order to succeed in the notion ofequal accessibility to care, there must be an understanding of mutual needs bythe parties involved.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Hälso- och sjukvårdsorganisation, hälsopolitik och hälsoekonomi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Tvärvetenskapliga studier inom samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Social Sciences Interdisciplinary (hsv//eng)

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