Case study highlights time savings with eReferral in primary care

Clinician burnout is a growing concern in primary care, contributing to an increased risk of clinicians leaving the profession and consequently decreased access to care for patients. One major contributor to burnout is the time spent on administrative tasks, such as managing referrals. A new case study from our Knowledge Translation and Evaluation team highlights the impact of eReferral technology in alleviating this burden, showing how it can save clinicians significant time compared to traditional fax-based referrals. 

Key Findings from the Case Study 

The study compared the time it took for clinicians to send referrals using fax versus the eReferral system. Key findings include: 

1. Built-In Referral Forms and Directory Listings: eReferral eliminates the need to search for referral forms, as they are integrated directly into the system. 

2. Integrated Tracking: Fax workflows require manual tracking, whereas eReferral automates this process, saving clinicians time and reducing administrative effort. 

3. Simplified Communication: eReferral allows direct messaging between clinicians and specialists, reducing the need for phone calls and further saving time. 

Clinicians who participated in the study saved an average of 1 minute and 13 seconds per referral, and with 22 referrals sent weekly, this amounts to an estimated time savings of 26 minutes per week. These small but impactful time savings could allow clinicians to allocate more time for patient care. 

Clinician Testimonials: Improved Efficiency and Work-Life Balance 

Participants in the study emphasized the positive impact of eReferral on their workflows. One clinician noted, “Every minute that can be saved on administrative tasks allows me to have extra time to spend with my patients, providing direct patient care.” Another participant highlighted how eReferral’s automatic tracking and easy communication made their day-to-day work more efficient, stating, “eReferral specifically allows me to avoid doing long searches to find out where to refer my patient.” 

Reducing the Risk of Clinician Burnout and Improving Access to Care 

The study demonstrates that eReferral can significantly reduce the time clinicians spend on administrative tasks, leading to better work-life balance and more time for patient care. As more clinicians adopt digital tools like eReferral, the potential to alleviate clinician burnout and improve patient outcomes will only grow. 

Read the case study here