@2024 Afarand., IRAN
ISSN: 1735-7667 Iranian Journal of Military Medicine 2012;14(2):129-135
ISSN: 1735-7667 Iranian Journal of Military Medicine 2012;14(2):129-135
Designing a referral system management model for direct treatment in social security organization
ARTICLE INFO
Article Type
Original ResearchAuthors
Ferdosi M. (1)Vatankhah S. ()
Khalesi N. (1)
Ebadi Fard Azar F. (2)
Ayoobian A. (3)
() School of Management& Medical Information, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
(1) Health Management and Economics Center (HMERC), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
(2) Hospital Management Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
(3) Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Correspondence
Address:Phone:
Fax:
vatankhah_s@yahoo.com
Article History
Received: October 11, 2011Accepted: May 19, 2012
ePublished:
ABSTRACT
Aims
The Social Security Organization is the largest provider of health services throughout the country after the Ministry of Health. Lack of the classification and referral system will lead to treatment withdrawal, patients’ confusion, immethodical visits and waste of resources. This study was carried out with the aim of proposing a proper model for the management of patients’ referral system in the direct care unit of the Social Security Organization.
Methods This comparative study was carried out in 2009. Two separate meetings of the Expert Panel in developing the proposed model were utilized for codification of the model. Then, the thematic and pivotal codes were extracted through framework analysis and the model was proposed according to the research objectives and research findings. This model was approved by experts through three rounds of Delphi method.
Results The classification of services and patient referral system is more comprehensive in US, Canada, Britain, South Korea and Chile due to the presence of national medical system. The referral system is not followed seriously in France. In Austria, there is a universal social insurance structure, but the social insurance system has been partially applied in Turkey. The patient referral system hasn’t been performed in the direct care unit of the Iranian Social Security Organization and only the Patient Guidance Staff is responsible for referring the patients to specialized services.
Conclusion The proposed model of managing the referral system in this study is based on a semi-open referral system and the constant presence of family physician with voluntary membership. Financial leverage is used in this model for optimal administration of the referral system.
Methods This comparative study was carried out in 2009. Two separate meetings of the Expert Panel in developing the proposed model were utilized for codification of the model. Then, the thematic and pivotal codes were extracted through framework analysis and the model was proposed according to the research objectives and research findings. This model was approved by experts through three rounds of Delphi method.
Results The classification of services and patient referral system is more comprehensive in US, Canada, Britain, South Korea and Chile due to the presence of national medical system. The referral system is not followed seriously in France. In Austria, there is a universal social insurance structure, but the social insurance system has been partially applied in Turkey. The patient referral system hasn’t been performed in the direct care unit of the Iranian Social Security Organization and only the Patient Guidance Staff is responsible for referring the patients to specialized services.
Conclusion The proposed model of managing the referral system in this study is based on a semi-open referral system and the constant presence of family physician with voluntary membership. Financial leverage is used in this model for optimal administration of the referral system.
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