Reducing waits and delays in the referral process.

www.aafp.org / fpm ■ F A M I L Y P R A C T I C E M A N A G E M E N T ■ 39 IL LU ST R A TI O N B Y T IM L EE Our current health care system is plagued by long waiting times and delays in care. These waits and delays dissatisfy patients, medical staff and physicians, while increasing health care costs, reducing potential income and adversely affecting clinical outcomes. Patients experience long waiting times in the health care continuum in three major areas: first, in waiting for access to an appointment in primary care; second, in the medical office itself; and third, in waiting for access to specialty care once the primary care physician has decided to refer the patient. While many articles have focused on reducing waiting times and delays in primary care,1 this article will focus on reducing waiting times and delays between primary and specialty care.