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Waiting for Specialists: A Multi‐Priority and Multi‐Speciality Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Pedro G. Rodrigues
  • Maria João Bárrios
  • Marta S. G. Mendes

Abstract

Managing waiting times for specialist consultations is a critical challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. This study examines how hospitals manage outpatient specialist consultations through multi‐priority systems, analysing nearly a million consultations across 29 medical specialities at a major Portuguese hospital (2010–2019). Using fixed‐effects models with Driscoll‐Kraay standard errors, we investigate how operational factors affect waiting times for first consultations across three priority levels. Each additional day spent in triage adds 0.52 days to urgent consultation waits (p

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro G. Rodrigues & Maria João Bárrios & Marta S. G. Mendes, 2025. "Waiting for Specialists: A Multi‐Priority and Multi‐Speciality Analysis," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(6), pages 1248-1278, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijhplm:v:40:y:2025:i:6:p:1248-1278
    DOI: 10.1002/hpm.70007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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