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A new model to deliver scheduled outpatient care.

Tiffany MartinSandra HapcaNikita MistryRuqayyah SteelYi TseThomas LumsdenAdrian CroftonStephen W Turner
Published in: Archives of disease in childhood (2021)
Here we describe an integrated model for scheduled care (the 'cluster clinic'). Following a pilot in April 2018, cluster clinics were established across Aberdeen City from April 2019 but not the area surrounding Aberdeen (ie, Aberdeenshire). There were 2360 referrals in 2017/2018 (pre-cluster clinic), and 2615 in 2019/2020 (post-Aberdeen City cluster clinics). The proportions of referrals from City practices seen pre-cluster and post-cluster were 72% and 56%, respectively, and from Shire practices the corresponding proportions were 70% and 65%. The cluster clinic received positive feedback from parents and referring clinicians and was not associated with increased 'missed diagnoses' compared with business as usual clinic. The cluster clinic model is a realistic and effective method to deliver integrated scheduled care for children.
Keyphrases
  • primary care
  • healthcare
  • palliative care
  • quality improvement
  • pain management
  • clinical trial
  • study protocol
  • affordable care act