Advanced Access Model Research Articles

Factors associated with patients' experience of access to their multidisciplinary primary health care clinic: A multilevel analysis.

Understanding patients' experiences accessing primary health care (PHC) is necessary to improve service organisation. This study aims to examine individual, organisational, and contextual factors associated with patients' experience of accessing the multidisciplinary PHC clinic to which they are attached. This cross-sectional study builds on survey data collected in multidisciplinary PHC clinics located in 14 regions in the province of Quebec (Canada). Between September 2022 and June 2023, an online questionnaire was sent to patients with an email contact and attached to a family physician. Two patient-reported experience measures were assessed: (1) difficulty obtaining an appointment with their regular family physician or nurse practitioner and (2) perceived unmet healthcare needs. A self-reported online questionnaire based on the advanced access model was also sent to PHC professionals and administrative staff to assess the use of advanced access strategies in their practice. Multilevel logistic regression models were fit. Stratified analyses were conducted according to the number of consultations received. In total, 122,397 patients and 847 family physicians, 97 nurse practitioners and 347 administrative staff nested into 104 clinics answered the survey. In the overall sample, having a chronic disorder was the only individual factor associated with the patient experience of access. Organizational factors including estimation of demand and supply, use of a referral algorithm, and strategies to optimise consultations were associated with a better access experience. Patients from medium size clinics compared to small clinics had better experiences of care for both outcomes. Stratified analysis indicated similar results for patients who consulted at the clinic 1-5 times in the last 12months as observed in the overall sample. This study indicates that enhancing organizational processes can improve patients' access experiences.

Perception of the compatibility of Quebec residency program characteristics with the advanced access model: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe advanced access (AA) model is among the most recommended innovations for improving timely access in primary care (PC). AA is based on core pillars such as comprehensive planning for care needs and supply, regularly adjusting supply to demand, optimizing appointment systems, and interprofessional collaborative practices. Exposure of family medicine residents to AA within university-affiliated family medicine groups (U-FMGs) is a promising strategy to widen its dissemination and improve access. Using four AA pillars as a conceptual model, this study aimed to determine the theoretical compatibility of Quebec’s university-affiliated clinics’ residency programs with the key principles of AA.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was sent to the chief resident and academic director at each participating clinic. An overall response rate of 96% (44/46 U-FMGs) was obtained.ResultsNo local residency program was deemed compatible with all four considered pillars. On planning for needs and supply, only one quarter of the programs were compatible with the principles of AA, owing to residents in out-of-clinic rotations often being unavailable for extended periods. On regularly adjusting supply to demand, 54% of the programs were compatible. Most (82%) programs’ appointment systems were not very compatible with the AA principles, mostly because the proportion of the schedule reserved for urgent appointments was insufficient. Interprofessional collaboration opportunities in the first year of residency allowed 60% of the programs to be compatible with this pillar.ConclusionsOur study highlights the heterogeneity among local residency programs with respect to their theoretical compatibility with the key principles of AA. Future research to empirically test the hypotheses raised by this study is warranted.

Taxonomy of advanced access practice profiles among family physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses in university-affiliated team-based primary healthcare clinics in Quebec

ObjectivesThe advanced access model is highly recommended to improve timely access to primary healthcare (PHC). However, its adoption varies among PHC providers. We aim to identify the advanced access profiles...

Ten years later: A portrait of the implementation of the advanced access model in Quebec.

Since 2012, implementation of the advanced access model in primary care has been highly recommended across Canada to improve timely access. We present a portrait of the implementation of the advanced access model 10years after its large-scale implementation across the province of Quebec. In total, 127 clinics participated in the study, with 999 family physicians and 107 nurse practitioners responding to the survey. Results show that opening schedules for appointments over a period of 2 to 4weeks has largely been implemented. However, reserving consultation time for urgent or semi-urgent conditions was implemented by less than half and planning supply and demand for 20% or more of the upcoming year by fewer than one fifth of respondents. More strategies need to be put in place to react to imbalances when they occur. We demonstrate that strategies based on individual practice change are more often implemented than those requiring changes at the clinic.

Impact of externally facilitated continuous quality improvement cohorts on Advanced Access to support primary healthcare teams: protocol for a quasi-randomized cluster trial

BackgroundImproving access to primary health care is among top priorities for many countries. Advanced Access (AA) is one of the most recommended models to improve timely access to care. Over the past 15 years, the AA model has been implemented in Canada, but the implementation of AA varies substantially among providers and clinics. Continuous quality improvement (CQI) approaches can be used to promote organizational change like AA implementation. While CQI fosters the adoption of evidence-based practices, knowledge gaps remain, about the mechanisms by which QI happens and the sustainability of the results. The general aim of the study is to analyse the implementation and effects of CQI cohorts on AA for primary care clinics. Specific objectives are: 1) Analyse the process of implementing CQI cohorts to support PHC clinics in their improvement of AA. 2) Document and compare structural organisational changes and processes of care with respect to AA within study groups (intervention and control). 3) Assess the effectiveness of CQI cohorts on AA outcomes. 4) Appreciate the sustainability of the intervention for AA processes, organisational changes and outcomes.MethodsCluster-controlled trial allowing for a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation of the proposed intervention 48 multidisciplinary primary care clinics will be recruited to participate. 24 Clinics from the intervention regions will receive the CQI intervention for 18 months including three activities carried out iteratively until the clinic’s improvement objectives are achieved: 1) reflective sessions and problem priorisation; 2) plan-do-study-act cycles; and 3) group mentoring. Clinics located in the control regions will receive an audit-feedback report on access. Complementary qualitative and quantitative data reflecting the quintuple aim will be collected over a period of 36 months.ResultsThis research will contribute to filling the gap in the generalizability of CQI interventions and accelerate the spread of effective AA improvement strategies while strengthening local QI culture within clinics. This research will have a direct impact on patients’ experiences of care.ConclusionThis mixed-method approach offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the scientific literature on large-scale CQI cohorts to improve AA in primary care teams and to better understand the processes of CQI.Trial registrationClinical Trials: NCT05715151.

Revising the advanced access model pillars: a multimethod study.

Background:The advanced access model was developed 20 years ago and has been implemented in several countries. We aimed to revise and operationalize the pillars and subpillars of the advanced access model based on its contemporary practice by professionals in primary health care.Methods:This multimethod sequential study was informed by a literature review and an expert panel of provincial and local decision-makers, primary health care clinic members (family physicians, nurses and administrative staff), patients and researchers from the province of Quebec. Throughout the consultation process, participants were asked to develop a common vision of the pillars and subpillars that make up the advanced access model and to react to suggested definitions or content.Results:The revised advanced access model is defined by 5 pillars, of which 2 were updated from the original model (“Appointment system” and “Interprofessional practice”), 1 was merged with a revised pillar (“Develop contingency plans” with “Planning of needs and supply”) and 1 underwent major transformations (“Backlog reduction” to “Continuous adjustment”). A new pillar concerning communication emerged from the consultation process. Subsequent steps for operationalizing definitions of subpillars confirmed the nature of the revised advanced access pillars and stabilized their content.Interpretation:The overall consultation process resulted in a revised contemporary advanced access model, with strong consensus among participating experts. The revised model will be used to develop a reflective tool for primary health care professionals to evaluate their advanced access practice.

Advanced Access in Primary Health Care: experiences from Brazil and Canada

Access is the timely use of services in order to meet the needs of the user. As an alternative to the traditional model, the Advanced Access (AA) model appears in Canada , with schedules restricted to specific cases. Objectives: The purpose of this article is to analyze the existing scientific production about the Advanced Access model in Primary Health Care. Methods: Integrative literature review using the descriptors (1) “Health Care Accessibility” OR “Primary Health Care” AND and (2) "Advanced Access" in the PubMed, Scopus and BIREME databases. Selection criteria were studies published in the last five years, available in Portuguese, English or Spanish and dealing with the theme. Results: Eight studies were selected, six were grouped into two categories of analysis: “The Canadian experience with AA : a model in consolidation”; and “The Brazilian experience with AA: local experiments” and the other two contributed to enrich the discussion. The AA stands out to balance capacity and demand with physical infrastructure and adequate staff, both in the international arena, as the experiences of municipalities, improving the quality of APS. Conclusion: Studies that detail the AA in its practice, as well as the challenges and needs, can inspire other health units to study it and consider its implementation if it is appropriate for its context, aiming to improve the health and care of its population.

Changing nursing practice within primary health care innovations: the case of advanced access model

BackgroundThe advanced access (AA) model has attracted much interest across Canada and worldwide as a means of ensuring timely access to health care. While nurses contribute significantly to improving access in primary healthcare, little is known about the practice changes involved in this innovative model. This study explores the experience of nurse practitioners and registered nurses with implementation of the AA model, and identifies factors that facilitate or impede change.MethodsWe used a longitudinal qualitative approach, nested within a multiple case study conducted in four university family medicine groups in Quebec that were early adopters of AA. We conducted semi-structured interviews with two types of purposively selected nurses: nurse practitioners (NPs) (n = 6) and registered nurses (RNs) (n = 5). Each nurse was interviewed twice over a 14-month period. One NP was replaced by another during the second interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis based on two principles of AA and the Niezen & Mathijssen Network Model (2014).ResultsOver time, RNs were not able to review the appointment system according to the AA philosophy. Half of NPs managed to operate according to AA. Regarding collaborative practice, RNs were still struggling to participate in team-based care. NPs were providing independent and collaborative patient care in both consultative and joint practice, and were assuming leadership in managing patients with acute and chronic diseases. Thematic analysis revealed influential factors at the institutional, organizational, professional, individual and patient level, which acted mainly as facilitators for NPs and barriers for RNs. These factors were: 1) policy and legislation; 2) organizational policy support (leadership and strategies to support nurses’ practice change); facility and employment arrangements (supply and availability of human resources); Inter-professional collegiality; 3) professional boundaries; 4) knowledge and capabilities; and 5) patient perceptions.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that healthcare decision-makers and organizations need to redefine the boundaries of each category of nursing practice within AA, and create an optimal professional and organizational context that supports practice transformation. They highlight the need to structure teamwork efficiently, and integrate and maximize nurses’ capacities within the team throughout AA implementation in order to reduce waiting times.

Evaluation of the implementation and associated effects of advanced access in university family medicine groups: a study protocol

BackgroundTimely access in primary health care is one of the key issues facing health systems. Among many interventions developed around the world, advanced access is the most highly recommended intervention designed specifically to improve timely access in primary care settings. Based on greater accessibility linked with patients’ relational continuity and informational continuity with a primary care professional or team, this organizational model aims to ensure that patients obtain access to healthcare services at a time and date convenient for them when needed regardless of urgency of demand. Its implementation requires a major organizational change based on reorganizing the practices of all the administrative staff and health professionals. In recent years, advanced access has largely been implemented in primary care organizations. However, despite its wide dissemination, we observe considerable variation in the implementation of the five guiding principles of this model across organizations, as well as among professionals working within the same organization.The main objective of this study is to assess the variation in the implementation of the five guiding principles of advanced access in teaching primary healthcare clinics across Quebec and to better understand the influence of the contextual factors on this variation and on outcomes.MethodsThis study will be based on an explanatory sequential design that includes 1) a quantitative survey conducted in 47 teaching primary healthcare clinics, and 2) a multiple case study using mixed data, contrasted cases (n = 4), representing various implementation profiles and geographical contexts. For each case, semi-structured interviews and focus group will be conducted with professionals and patients. Impact analyses will also be conducted in the four selected clinics using data retrieved from the electronic medical records.DiscussionThis study is important in social and political context marked by accessibility issues to primary care services. This research is highly relevant in a context of massive media coverage on timely access to primary healthcare and a large-scale implementation of advanced access across Quebec. This study will likely generate useful lessons and support evidence-based practices to refine and adapt the advanced access model to ensure successful implementation in various clinical contexts facing different challenges.

Reorganização da agenda e do modelo de acesso em Unidade de Saúde da Família 24 horas

Problema: As longas filas e a dificuldade de atendimento nas Unidades de Saúde da Família (USF) são uma realidade conhecida no Brasil. O acesso avançado representa uma nova proposta de acolhimento e gestão da oferta de vagas para consultas. Neste contexto de dificuldade de acesso, foi inaugurada em março de 2016 em Recife, uma nova Unidade de Saúde da Família 24 horas. Após 6 meses de atendimento neste serviço, a equipe Alfa, nome fictício, sentia-se desmotivada pelas reclamações relativas à dificuldade de acesso. Mobilizada pela insatisfação da população foi proposta uma intervenção para reorganização da oferta de vagas para consultas e do modelo de agendamento com base no acesso avançado. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar a experiência de reorganização da agenda e da oferta de vagas para consultas; as mudanças do número e do tipo dos atendimentos da equipe após implantação deste novo modelo de acesso; e a percepção dos integrantes da equipe quanto à experiência. Métodos: A primeira etapa da iniciativa incluiu a identificação da viabilidade da intervenção a partir do cálculo da demanda diária de atendimentos. Em seguida, foi criado um novo modelo de agenda desenvolvido fora do e-SUS e que utilizava o Google® Drive e disponibilizados três tempos para as consultas: 5 minutos, 10 minutos e 20 minutos, denominadas respectivamente de rápida, intermediária e estendida. Resultados: No terceiro mês após a mudança foi observado o desaparecimento dos atendimentos classificados como urgência pelo antigo modelo, a ampliação de 65% no número de atendimentos da equipe Alfa com transformação do perfil de atendimento de 70% de consultas agendadas para 70% de consultas do dia. Conclusão: A experiência mostrou ser possível uma ampliação no acesso através do incremento no número de atendimentos a partir da reorganização da agenda baseada no modelo de acesso avançado.

The challenges of implementing advanced access for residents in family medicine in Quebec. Do promising strategies exist?

ABSTRACTBackground: The advanced access (AA) model is a highly recommended innovation to improve timely access to primary healthcare. Despite that many studies have shown positive impacts for healthcare professionals, and for patients, implementing this model in clinics with a teaching mission for family medicine residents poses specific challenges.Objective: To identify these challenges within these clinics, as well as potential strategies to address them.Design: The authors adopted a qualitative multiple case study design, collected data in 2016 using semi-structured interviews (N = 40) with healthcare professionals and clerical staff in four family medicine units in Quebec, and performed a thematic analysis. They validated results through a discussion workshop, involving many family physicians and residents practicing in different regionsResults: Five challenges emerged from the data: 1) choosing, organizing residents’ patient; 2) managing and balancing residents’ appointment schedules; 3) balancing timely access with relational continuity; 4) understanding the AA model; 5) establishing collaborative practices with other health professionals. Several promising strategies were suggested to address these challenges, including clearly defining residents’ patient panels; adopting a team-based care approach; incorporating the model into academic curriculum and clinical training; proactive and ongoing education of health professionals, residents, and patients; involving residents in the change process and in adjustment strategies.Conclusions: To meet the challenges of implementing AA, decision-makers should consider exposing residents to AA during academic training and clinical internships, involving them in team work on arrival, engaging them as key actors in the implementation and in intra- and inter-professional collaborative models.

What Are the Factors Influencing Implementation of Advanced Access in Family Medicine Units? A Cross-Case Comparison of Four Early Adopters in Quebec.

Introduction Advanced access is an organizational model that has shown promise in improving timely access to primary care. In Quebec, it has recently been introduced in several family medicine units (FMUs) with a teaching mission. The objectives of this paper are to analyze the principles of advanced access implemented in FMUs and to identify which factors influenced their implementation. Methods A multiple case study of four purposefully selected FMUs was conducted. Data included document analysis and 40 semistructured interviews with health professionals and staff. Cross-case comparison and thematic analysis were performed. Results Three out of four FMUs implemented the key principles of advanced access at various levels. One scheduling pattern was observed: 90% of open appointment slots over three- to four-week periods and 10% of prebooked appointments. Structural and organizational factors facilitated the implementation: training of staff to support change, collective leadership, and openness to change. Conversely, family physicians practicing in multiple clinical settings, lack of team resources, turnover of clerical staff, rotation of medical residents, and management capacity were reported as major barriers to implementing the model. Conclusion Our results call for multilevel implementation strategies to improve the design of the advanced access model in academic teaching settings.

Perceptions of the first family physicians to adopt advanced access in the province of Quebec, Canada.

In Quebec, several primary care physicians have made the transition to the advanced access model to address the crisis of limited access to primary care. The objectives are to describe the implementation of the advanced access model, as perceived by the first family physicians; to analyze the factors influencing the implementation of its principles; and to document the physicians' perceptions of its effects on their practice, colleagues and patients. Qualitative methods were used to explore, through semi-structured interviews, the experiences of 21 family physicians who had made the transition to advanced access. Of the 21 physicians, 16 succeeded in adopting all five advanced access principles to varying degrees. Core implementation issues revolved around the dynamics of collaboration between physicians, nurses and other colleagues. Secretaries' functions, in particular, had to be expanded. Facilitating factors were mainly related to the physicians' leadership and the professional resources available in the organizations. Impediments related to resource availability and team functioning were also encountered. This is the first exploratory study to examine the factors influencing the adoption of the advanced access model conducted with early-adopter family physicians. The lessons drawn will inform discussions on scaling up to other settings experiencing the same problems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Improving access to primary care: Eight case studies of introducing Advanced Access in England

To examine the implementation of 'Advanced Access' as a means of improving access to primary care. Qualitative case studies of eight English general practices undertaken as part of a mixed method study. There was considerable variation in the interpretation and implementation of Advanced Access. Practices claiming to operate this system often did not follow its key principles. Differences between practice access systems centred on the use of 'same-day' appointments. The association of Advanced Access with same-day appointment systems was problematic as it both created antagonism to, and diverged from, the Advanced Access model. Practice staff did not necessarily share the conceptualisation of demand that underpinned Advanced Access. Other policies and targets provided further incentives to diverge from the model and these factors were compounded by informal organizational behaviours, notably the exercise of discretion, which led to adaptation. Advanced Access was diluted because it became confused with same-day appointment systems and other incentives and targets. Its guiding philosophy of 'manageable demand' appeared counter-intuitive to staff in the context of general practice, which made its implementation problematic. As a result, the system was adapted and modified.

"The rheumatologist can see you now": Successful implementation of an advanced access model in a rheumatology practice.

To provide rheumatologic care to patients in a timely and patient-centered manner. We developed and implemented processes to measure and help eliminate backlog, created access time for same-day patients, and retooled the appointments process to be more efficient and patient focused. In addition, we developed a protocol to be used by our primary care colleagues to care for osteoarthritis of the knee in a standardized manner. The third available rheumatology appointment fell from about 60 days to <2 days. Cancellations fell from 40% to <20%. Patient satisfaction measures (composite score, physician score, and accessibility score) improved significantly. The number of new patients seen for knee osteoarthritis decreased by 6.7%, whereas the number of new rheumatoid arthritis referrals increased by 50.4%. Financial performance improved as well. This advanced access model in a busy academic rheumatology practice demonstrated considerable improvement in access, patient satisfaction, and finances. Using a team approach, we are now able to give the patient the rheumatologic care they want and need at a time they want and need it.

Improving timely access to primary care: case studies of the advanced access model.

The advanced access model of patient scheduling is based on the core principle that if the capacity to provide patient appointments balances the demand for appointments, patients calling to see their physician are offered an appointment the same day. The accompanying article in the series "Innovations in Primary Care" presents the theory behind advanced access scheduling. In this article we describe 4 case studies of primary care practices that successfully implemented advanced access and 3 examples of practices that were unable to achieve advanced access despite considerable efforts. The lessons of these case studies should be useful for primary care practices desiring to improve timely access to care and wishing to avoid the pitfalls that can derail this innovation.