The MODEL project: a scoring system to manage demand for cataract and joint replacement surgery.
Cataract surgery and joint replacement are highly cost-effective procedures; however, their availability is inequitable and doctors lack guidance on whom to refer and treat. We investigated the feasibility of using a scoring system to assess patients' suitability for operation. Wefound acceptable correlations between the scores ofgeneral practitioners and surgeons for both procedures. Scoring systems can be used in a consistent way bygeneralpractitioners and surgeons, and can make a contribution towards matching patients' needs with available treatment capacity.
Dent
T H
TH
North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority, Basingstoke. tom.dent@nm-ha.nhs.uk
Cunningham
S L
SL
Hook
W E
WE
Morris
R J
RJ
Sylvester
N C
NC
D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000145:classification; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D018579:Patient Selection; D012720:Severity of Illness Index