Identification and Improvement of medical care inefficiencies at a resident clinic

Abstract

A resident primary care clinic serves as both a teaching facility and source of health care to lower income patients. A local primary care resident clinic has been identified in order to analyze how effectively access to care is being provided. A six week data collection effort was completed in order to quantify the patient and physician experience within the clinic. Initial analyses have indicated that waiting times, appointment scheduling and exam room utilization can be improved. Both a capacity and demand model can be developed in order to offer care to more patients. Timeliness and effectiveness of care can be improved by applying optimization techniques to clinic procedures.