Real-life implementation and evaluation of the e-referral system SIPILINK

Abstract

Introduction: General Practitioners (GPs) play a key role of gatekeeper, as they coordinate patients' care. However, most of them reported having difficulty to refer patients to hospital, especially in semi-urgent context. To facilitate the referral of semi-urgent patients, we implemented an e-referral platform, named SIPILINK, within 4 wards from a large public French hospital (internal medicine, diabetology, gynaecological surgery and oncology wards). Here, we aimed to evaluate the SIPILINK e-referral platform after 2 years of implementation.

Methods: The evaluation included a multidimensional assessment based on the RE-AIM framework with the analysis of implementation, requests, health professionals' satisfaction, and estimated hospital payment.

Results: Over 2 years of implementation, GPs sent 113 requests to hospital. Hospital respected the time of response requested by GPs in 93 % of cases and proposed a consultation or hospitalization in respectively 40.7 % and 10.6 % of cases. 100 % of GPs and 78 % of Hospital Practitioners (HPs) were satisfied with the quality of exchanges. 77 % of HPs and 100 % of Care Pathway Managers (CPMs) found that patient care pathways were improved. Nearly all practitioners would recommend this platform for patient referrals.

Discussion: SIPILINK shows promise in streamlining the referral process, enhancing communication, and improving patient care pathways. Further studies including the impact on the quality of care, are needed to assess its effectiveness and sustainability in healthcare settings.