Evidence map›Paper›PMID 26188810›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of health policy and management2015

Improving wait times to care for individuals with multimorbidities and complex conditions using value stream mapping.

Tara Sampalli, Michel Desy, Minakshi Dhir, Lynn Edwards, Robert Dickson, Gail Blackmore

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of health policy and management, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed, 4 pooled it
–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

13 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Effects of Lean Interventions Supported by Digital Technologies on Healthcare Services: A Systematic Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022
    Pooled it
  3. Pooled it
  4. Pooled it
  5. Social and health determinants of wait times for primary care in Canada.Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien · 2025
    Article
  6. Article
  7. The Role of Value Stream Mapping in Healthcare Services: A Scoping Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021
    Article
  8. Article
  9. Observational
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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.

Tara SampalliIntegrated Chronic Care Service, Primary Health Care, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Michel DesyPerformance Excellence, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Minakshi DhirIntegrated Chronic Care Service, Primary Health Care, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Lynn EdwardsPrimary Health Care, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Robert DicksonIntegrated Chronic Care Service, Primary Health Care, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Gail BlackmorePerformance Excellence, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRecognizing the significant impact of wait times for care for individuals with complex chronic conditions, we applied a LEAN methodology, namely - an adaptation of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to meet the needs of people with multiple chronic conditions and to improve wait times without additional resources or funding.

methodsOver an 18-month time period, staff applied a patient-centric approach that included LEAN methodology of VSM to improve wait times to care. Our framework of evaluation was grounded in the needs and perspectives of patients and individuals waiting to receive care. Patient centric views were obtained through surveys such as Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) and process engineering based questions. In addition, LEAN methodology, VSM was added to identify non-value added processes contributing to wait times.

resultsThe care team successfully reduced wait times to 2 months in 2014 with no wait times for care anticipated in 2015. Increased patient engagement and satisfaction are also outcomes of this innovative initiative. In addition, successful transformations and implementation have resulted in resource efficiencies without increase in costs. Patients have shown significant improvements in functional health following Integrated Chronic Care Service (ICCS) intervention. The methodology will be applied to other chronic disease management areas in Capital Health and the province.

conclusionWait times to care in the management of multimoribidities and other complex conditions can add a significant burden not only on the affected individuals but also on the healthcare system. In this study, a novel and modified LEAN methodology has been applied to embed the voice of the patient in care delivery processes and to reduce wait times to care in the management of complex chronic conditions.

Indexed as

Time FactorsWaiting ListsChronic DiseaseHumansPatient-Centered CareSurveys and QuestionnairesLEAN MethodologiesMultimorbiditiesPatient ExperienceWait Times

Identifiers

PMID26188810
PMCPMC4493586

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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 OpenQuestion graph.