Out-patient case mix: a survey of user requirements.
Research and development of out-patient case mix systems, to plan and monitor resource use in the out-patient sector, has hitherto not been accorded priority in the NHS. As part of an investigation of their usefulness, a survey of NHS professionals' requirements for out-patient case mix was conducted. The results confirmed that there was support for developing out-patient case mix systems, although different users had different requirements. However, a common theme to emerge was the desirability of constructing holistic systems which cover in-patient, day-case and out-patient care. Additionally, development of care packages was seen as a necessary first step in constructing systems for out-patient care. Concludes that visit-based case mix systems are unlikely to fulfil users' requirements and recommends that case mix contracting projects by Healthcare Resource Groups should be extended to the out-patient sector, but must recognize that existing systems do not meet users' requirements.
University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
P
P
McNamee
A
A
Hutchinson
D
D
Parkin
E
E
Milne
N
N
Steen
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000145:classification*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000145:classification*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D010045:Outpatients / Q000145:classification*; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom