OBJECTIVE This study implemented and evaluated procedures to help clinicians make effective referrals to 12-step self-help groups (SHGs). METHODS In this randomized controlled trial, individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) entering a new outpatient treatment episode (N=345; 96% had previous SUD treatment) were randomly assigned to a standard referral or an intensive referral-to-self-h...

A functioning referral system is generally considered to be a necessary element of successful Safe Motherhood programmes. This paper draws on a scoping review of available literature to identify key requisites for successful maternity referral systems in developing countries, to highlight knowledge gaps, and to suggest items for a future research agenda. Key online social science, medical and h...

BACKGROUND Outpatient palliative care clinics facilitate early referral and are associated with improved outcomes in cancer patients. However, appropriate candidates for outpatient palliative care referral and optimal timing remain unclear. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify criteria that are considered when an outpatient palliative cancer care referral is initiated....

BACKGROUND We attempted to identify patient factors associated with blood pressure (BP) reassessment and to compare health-care provider self-reported reassessment and referral to actual practice in an emergency department (ED) setting. METHODS Provider reassessment and referral practices were determined through systematic review of 1,250 medical records at five EDs. Medical records were incl...

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks, a decentralized content distribution format in which users distribute media to each other, are gaining popularity for delivery of digital media such as music and videos. Product diffusion in P2P is unique because free riders – users who download content from others in the network without redistributing it to others – can create a supply constraint that results in th...

BACKGROUND Low income appears to be associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes and diabetes related complications, however, little is known about how income influences access to diabetes care. The objective of the present study was to determine whether income is associated with referral to a diabetes centre within a universal health care system. METHODS Data on referral for diabetes care...

Hospital, London. Criteria for referral to this clinic include: otitis externa (needing microsuction), recurrent epistaxis, fractured nose (needs to be seen within 7–10 days of injury), foreign bodies in the ear, sudden unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and Bell’s palsy. We collected prospective data on 100 consecutive primary care referrals in April–May 2013. The patients’ mean age was 41...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the capacity implications and health economic impact of new guidelines recommending referral to colposcopy after one mild result during cervical screening rather than after two consecutive mild results. DESIGN A mathematical model of the country's colposcopy services and the clinical pathways from smear result through to treatment is constructed. The model incorporates n...

BACKGROUND Despite the increasing usage and popularity of chiropractic care, there has been limited research conducted to examine the professional relationships between conventional trained primary care physicians (PCPs) and chiropractors (DCs). The objectives of our study were to contrast the intra-professional referral patterns among PCPs with referral patterns to DCs, and to identify predict...

BACKGROUND There is a need for research to promote an understanding among service developers on why people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are referred to offender services in order for them to receive appropriate assessment and treatment. Previous studies investigating referrals into forensic ID services have concentrated on referral sources and administrative variables such as legal statu...