Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38809641›Full record

ArticleAsian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP2024

Referral Process Enhancement: Innovative Approaches and Best Practices.

Shinnona Hamed AlHarthy, Mansour Al-MoundhrI, Wisal Al-Mahmoodi, Rawan Ibrahim, Omar Ayaad, Khalid Al Baimani

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Defining a theoretical framework for a quality referral at the primary-secondary care interface: a systematic scoping review with qualitative content analysis.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2026
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  9. Enhancing Medication Safety: Reducing Administration Errors in Oncology Setting.Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP · 2025
    Article
  10. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Shinnona Hamed AlHarthyAdmission, Discharge, and Transfer office, Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC), University Medical City, Muscat, Oman.
Mansour Al-MoundhrIGastrointestinal program, Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC), University Medical City, Muscat, Oman.
Wisal Al-MahmoodiAdmission, Discharge, and Transfer office, Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC), University Medical City, Muscat, Oman.
Rawan IbrahimQuality and Accreditation Department, Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC), University Medical City, Muscat, Oman.
Omar AyaadQuality and Accreditation Department, Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC), University Medical City, Muscat, Oman.ORCID 0000-0003-1521-117X
Khalid Al BaimaniQuality and Accreditation Department, Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC), University Medical City, Muscat, Oman.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis study aimed to enhance the efficiency of the referral system at the Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC) in Muscat, Oman by reducing the average time for new patients' acceptance and the delay between patient acceptance and their first appointment.

methodsA one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental project was conducted from Quarter 2 of 2022 to Quarter 2 of 2023. Data collected during the pretest and posttest phases were compared to evaluate the impact of interventions on the average days for patient acceptance and the time to first appointment after acceptance. The intervention involved developing a comprehensive referral system incorporating technology development, improved accessibility, orientation materials, internal training, policy formulation, criteria definition, and tailoring acceptance criteria to specialty programs. Awareness campaigns were also conducted to educate patients about the referral process and available transportation options. The project followed the FOCUS PDCA (Find, Organize, Clarify, Understand, Select, Plan, Do, Check, Act) approach for implementation.

resultSignificant improvements were observed in the oncology referral process, with the average days for patient acceptance decreasing from 4.3 days to 1.3 days post-implementation. Statistical analysis confirmed the significance of this change (F-value = 46.25, p < .0001). Similarly, the average days to first visit appointment after acceptance decreased from 8.6 days to 4.0 days, with statistical support (F-value = 6.29, p < .0).

conclusionThis study represents a significant advancement in optimizing the oncology referral process. When considered in conjunction with previous research findings, it underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency in patient referrals.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsReferral and ConsultationAppointments and SchedulesFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHealth Services AccessibilityHumansMaleOmanPatient Acceptance of Health CarePractice Guidelines as TopicPrognosisFOCUS PDCAOmanOncology settingReferral ProcessSQCCCRC

Identifiers

PMID38809641
PMCPMC11318818

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.