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Waiting time prioritisation for specialist services in Italy: The homogeneous waiting time groups approach

Author

Listed:
  • Mariotti, Giuliano
  • Siciliani, Luigi
  • Rebba, Vincenzo
  • Fellini, Rita
  • Gentilini, Maria
  • Benea, Giorgio
  • Bertoli, Pierpaolo
  • Bistolfi, Lorenzo
  • Brugaletta, Salvatore
  • Camboa, Pierluigi
  • Casucci, Paola
  • Dessi, Dino
  • Faronato, Pierpaolo
  • Galante, Mariangela
  • Gioffredi, Alessio
  • Guarino, Teresa Maria
  • Pofi, Enrico
  • Liva, Carlo

Abstract

The demand for referrals and diagnostic procedures in Italy has been rising constantly in recent years, making access to diagnostic services increasingly difficult with significant waiting times. A number of Health Authorities (known as Local Health Units) have responded by implementing formalised waiting-time prioritisation tools, giving rise to what are known as Homogeneous Waiting Groups (HWGs). The study describes the implementation of the HWG approach in Italy. This represents a promising tool for improving the prioritisation of patients waiting to see a specialist or to receive a diagnostic test. The study of the Italian HWG experience provides useful insights to improve the outpatient referral process for those countries where the demand prioritisation policies have focused more on inpatient care than outpatient specialist care and diagnostic services.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariotti, Giuliano & Siciliani, Luigi & Rebba, Vincenzo & Fellini, Rita & Gentilini, Maria & Benea, Giorgio & Bertoli, Pierpaolo & Bistolfi, Lorenzo & Brugaletta, Salvatore & Camboa, Pierluigi & Casuc, 2014. "Waiting time prioritisation for specialist services in Italy: The homogeneous waiting time groups approach," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(1), pages 54-63.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:117:y:2014:i:1:p:54-63
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2014.01.018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mullen, Penelope M., 2003. "Prioritising waiting lists: how and why?," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(1), pages 32-45, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mariotti, Giuliano & Siciliani, Luigi & Rebba, Vincenzo & Coretti, Silvia & Gentilini, Maria, 2022. "Consensus among clinicians on referrals’ priority and use of digital decision-making support systems," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(9), pages 906-914.
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    3. Andrea Riganti & Luigi Siciliani & Carlo V. Fiorio, 2017. "The effect of waiting times on demand and supply for elective surgery: Evidence from Italy," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(S2), pages 92-105, September.
    4. Breton, Mylaine & Smithman, Mélanie Ann & Kreindler, Sara A. & Jbilou, Jalila & Wong, Sabrina T. & Gard Marshall, Emily & Sasseville, Martin & Sutherland, Jason M. & Crooks, Valorie A. & Shaw, Jay & C, 2021. "Designing centralized waiting lists for attachment to a primary care provider: Considerations from a logic analysis," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    5. Luca Armanaschi & Elisabetta Barzan & Magda Cavallucci & Carlo Federici & Marco Sartirana & Florian Zerzer, 2022. "I dati amministrativi per la governance dei tempi di attesa delle prestazioni ambulatoriali: l?esperienza dell?Azienda Sanitaria dell?Alto Adige," MECOSAN, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(123), pages 53-75.
    6. Breton, Mylaine & Smithman, Mélanie Ann & Sasseville, Martin & Kreindler, Sara A. & Sutherland, Jason M. & Beauséjour, Marie & Green, Michael & Marshall, Emily Gard & Jbilou, Jalila & Shaw, Jay & Brou, 2020. "How the design and implementation of centralized waiting lists influence their use and effect on access to healthcare - A realist review," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(8), pages 787-795.
    7. Domenica Matranga & Laura Maniscalco, 2022. "Inequality in Healthcare Utilization in Italy: How Important Are Barriers to Access?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, February.

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