Study on the problems with the professional referring process

As you can see, between 63% to 82% of patients do not make their appointment with the specialist. Referral.IM's own internal study has shown that as much as 40% of referrals do not follow through. Ann Fam Med. 2007 July; 5(4): 361–367. doi: 10.1370/afm.703 PMCID: PMC1934973 Introduction: Specialty referrals are one of several management options available to primary care physicians. The effectiveness of specialty referrals as a management tool depends not only on the quality of physician decision making—when and for whom to obtain specialty care—but also on the likelihood that patients referred choose to complete the referral by attending one or more specialist visits. Although much is published on the determinants of primary care physician referral decision making,1–3 much less is known about referral completion. Based on chart audits and physician survey, prior studies have found that 63% to 82% of patients referred from primary care settings ultimately attend a consultation with the type of specialist to whom they were referred.4–6 The consultation and referral process. A report from NEON. Northeastern Ohio Network Research Group. Bourguet C, Gilchrist V, McCord G. Source Division of Community Health Sciences, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown 44272-0095, USA. Abstract