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COLLEGE OF PUBLIC POLICY
UNIVERSITY Preliminary Project Proposal
PARTNER INFORMATION
Name of Organization: Policy Lab UK
CAPSTONE PROJECT
Group Capstone Theme: Policy Making through Design, Innovation and People Centered
Approaches
Individual Project Title: Abstract (150 words):
Title: Improving Waiting Times and Overcrowding
for Health Referees
Abstract:
Extended wait times for referee appointments and insufficient bed availability in emergency
departments (EDs) and hospitals are critical global healthcare issues, including in Qatar. This
complex problem profoundly affects patient outcomes, satisfaction, and overall healthcare
quality. Long appointment waits times, even with a tracking team, can delay diagnoses, worsen
patient conditions, and increase the risk of complications. The shortage of beds and rooms
further hampers timely care for critically ill patients, straining healthcare resources and staff.
The UK's Policy Lab is actively promoting innovative solutions through collaboration between
government officials, academics, experts, and the public. This project delves into the factors
behind these challenges, including patient volume fluctuations, inefficiencies in ED workflows,
and resource constraints. It also explores the consequences, such as patient dissatisfaction and
healthcare system inefficiencies. Solving this problem requires innovative approaches like
enhanced triage systems, design thinking, data analysis, resource allocation, capacity planning,
and engaging diverse stakeholders. Ultimately, reducing wait times and bed shortages in EDs is
crucial for improving patient care, optimizing resource use, and creating a more effective
healthcare system.
Capstone Supervisor Signature:
Date: September 6, 2023
CPP Dean Approval:
Date:
Background:
Healthcare facilities, both hospitals and clinics, are vital components of any healthcare system.
Ensuring timely access to medical care and appropriate bed availability for patients is essential
for providing high-quality healthcare services. However, a recent issue at Hamad Medical
Corporation (HMC), a large medical facility, has highlighted the problem of long appointment
waiting periods and insufficient bed availability.
The problem was that outpatient clinics has been struggling with two interconnected issues: First,
long appointment waiting periods: Patients seeking non-emergency medical care have been
experiencing exceptionally long waiting times for appointments with specialist physicians. These
extended waiting periods have raised concerns about patients receiving timely medical attention,
especially patients with chronic diseases. Second, insufficient bed availability: The hospital's
inpatient wards frequently reach full capacity, leading to patients being placed on waitlists or in
temporary, sub-optimal accommodations. This shortage of beds not only delays treatment but
also affects the overall patient’s experience and health status.
Sequence of Events, over the past years, Qatar has experienced a surge in patient demand, partly
due to population growth in the area and an aging population which created a backlog of
appointment requests, leading to extended waiting periods for patients seeking non-emergency
care. The prolonged waiting times for appointments and insufficient bed availability have led to
patient discontent, with complaints about delayed care and discomfort during hospital stays.
Impact on Healthcare, the delays in both outpatient and inpatient care have potential
consequences for patient health outcomes, patient satisfaction, and the hospital's reputation such
as patients feel anxious, frustrated, and inconvenienced also, can lead to delayed diagnoses and
treatments, potentially affecting patient health outcomes.
Solving problem, there should be immediate responses for example, hospital increased its
communication efforts to inform patients about expected appointment wait times and bed
availability issues also, the management implement a system for prioritizing appointments based
on medical urgency to address the most critical cases first and provide additional beds and
converted non-patient areas into temporary accommodations to alleviate bed shortages. Finally,
implementing telehealth services for non-urgent medical consultations to reduce the strain on in-
person appointments.
To conclude, the case of long appointment waiting periods and insufficient bed availability at
HMC underscores the challenges healthcare facilities face when demand exceeds capacity.
Timely access to medical care and appropriate bed availability are critical factors in delivering
quality healthcare services. Solving problems and continuously improving operational efficiency
are essential for addressing these issues and ensuring the well-being of patients while
maintaining the facility's reputation.
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