QRI approach leads to significant cut in wait times at clinics
Through a collaborative approach delivered by clinical and administrative teams at Hamad Medical Corporation’s Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI), wait times for a range of outpatient clinics have been significantly reduced at the specialist rehabilitation facility.
Evidence show longer wait times can not only affect patient care and patients willingness to seek healthcare services but also their experience and satisfaction.
Since January 2020, wait times have fallen at the QRI’s Paediatric Speech Therapy Clinic, Neuro and Geriatric Physical Therapy Clinic, Pediatric Rehab Feeding and Swallowing Clinic, as well as the Prosthetic Unit, giving patients faster access to the specialist rehabilitation services they require.
The medical director of the QRI and Rumailah Hospital, Dr Hanadi al-Hamad, explained the importance of reducing wait times in improving patient care and experience. “Since the opening of the QRI in 2016, we have seen an increasing number of patients year-on-year. Our dedicated therapy teams provide a wide range of specialist rehabilitation services within our state-of-the-art facility. Ensuring patients are seen quickly, without delay, is crucial to ensuring good patient outcomes. By addressing the needs of our patients early on, our therapy teams are able to begin treating their conditions early, before they develop into more complex conditions.”
Between January 2020 and July 2021, outpatient wait times have fallen by 76% at the Pediatric Speech Therapy Clinic; 75% at the Neuro and Geriatric Physical Therapy; 65% at the Pediatric Rehab Feeding and Swallowing Clinic; and 39% at the Prosthetic Unit.
“A number of key interventions have been crucial in reducing wait times, including working with our patients to decrease the number of missed booked appointments, thereby maximising appointment utilisation; increasing the number of new patients on therapists schedules; improving the flow process for patients from initial assessment through to treatment intervention and follow up; and establishing effective and convenient virtual clinics for eligible patients,” said Dr al-Hamad.
Eman Yousef al-Mulla, chief of the Speech Therapy Department at Hamad Medical Corporation, explained the importance of timely treatment for children with speech developmental impairments.
“If a child has a speech impediment they are less likely to be able to communicate well with others and this can affect their overall development, including self-esteem and independence. The earlier we can assess a child and tailor the treatment to their needs, the better their chance of improvement and recovery. Therefore this initiative has been excellent for the children and their families who seek our help,” she added.