Referral Pattern, hospital Utilization, and Physician Perception of MOH Outreach Program: The Experience of Al-Qatif Central Hospital with Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The intervention techniques and improved post intervention follow-up for children with congenital heart diseases (CCHD) which are not available in most hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Health and King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KFSH) provides interventions and telemedicine services by outreach program which connects KFSH with other hospital. The aims of this study were to characterize the referral patterns of CCHD through the outreach program at Al-Qatif Center Hospital (QCH).In addition, we solicited referring cardiologists' perception about the quality of outreach program. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in QCH. A before and after design was used to compare hospital services utilization pattern before and after referral. This study took the physician perception by the open-ended interview, guide was used to encourage the three available cardiologist. This interview most be useful in informing the future policy and the program decisions. Result: The utilization of ECG and X-ray were significantly decreased after referral, but the outpatient visits were increased. Referring physician perception about the outreach program is that the service is very useful, but there is a lack of documentation and a need for adding more resources to pre and post intervention services. Conclusion: The outreach services increased outpatient visits and reduced hospitalization and reduction in some types of investigations. Cardiologists in Al-Qatif hospital indicated overall satisfaction with the outreach services for CCHD but indicated the need to improve feedback.