Referral

About: Referral is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 27614 publications have been published within this topic receiving 479918 citations.

Thirty-six-month outcomes for families of children who have disabilities and participated in early intervention.

Abstract: Objective. Infants and toddlers with disabilities in the United States and their families are eligible for early intervention services under Part C of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. The purpose of this study was to assess family outcomes at the end of early intervention (near the child’s third birthday). Methods. A nationally representative sample of 2586 parents in 20 states completed a 40-minute telephone interview on or near their child’s third birthday. This article summarizes data related to perceived family outcomes at the end of early intervention. Results. At the end of early intervention, most parents felt competent in caring for their children, advocating for services, and gaining access to formal and informal supports. They also were generally optimistic about the future. Most (82%) parents believed that their family was better off as a result of early intervention. Parents were somewhat less positive in their perceived ability to deal with their child’s behavior problems or gain access to community resources, and lower family outcome scores were found for parents of minority children, children with health problems, and children who were living with a single adult. Conclusion. Results suggest that Part C early intervention provides important supports for families of young children with disabilities. The findings reinforce the need for experimental research to identify factors that are most likely to lead to successful outcomes for all families. In the meantime, early identification and expeditious referral are important so that maximum benefit can be realized for children with disabilities and their families.

Growing Existing Customers' Revenue Streams Through Customer Referral Programs

Abstract: Customer referral programs are an effective means of customer acquisition. By assessing a large-scale customer data set from a global cellular telecommunications provider, the authors show that participation in a referral program also increases existing customers' loyalty. In a field experiment, recommenders' defection rates fell from 19% to 7% within a year, and their average monthly revenue grew by 11.4% compared with a matched control group. A negative interaction between referral program participation and customer tenure reveals that the loyalty effect of voicing a recommendation is particularly pronounced for newer customer–firm relationships. A laboratory experiment further demonstrates that referral programs with larger rewards strengthen attitudinal and behavioral loyalty, whereas smaller rewards affect only the behavioral dimension. This article contributes to our theoretical understanding of the roles played by the commitment–consistency principle and positive reinforcement theory as mechanisms ...

A study of communication between general practitioners and specialists.

Abstract: A random sample of referral letters from general practitioners to outpatient departments of general medicine, dermatology, neurology, and gastroenterology at an Amsterdam teaching hospital were analysed together with the specialists' replies for 144 referrals. The pairs of letters were judged by a panel of four general practitioners and four specialists. Letters were assessed according to quality and content, clarity, request for return to general practitioner care, time intervals between referral and consultation and between consultation and the specialist's reply. The judges were also asked to assess whether in their opinion the letters were of value in teaching or were discourteous. Though in general intraobserver agreement on what constitutes a good letter was low, deficiencies were revealed in the quality of letters and there were delays in transmission and missed educational opportunities.

Obstetric critical care: A blueprint for improved outcomes

Abstract: Introduction: Obstetric patients are generally young and healthy. However, the potential for catastrophic complications is real, and despite the therapeutic advances of the last few decades, maternal morbidity and mortality continue to occur. This may be related to the pregnancy itself, aggravation of a preexisting illness, or complications of the (operative) delivery. Purpose. The purpose of this review is two-fold: first, to provide an update on currently available reports pertaining to important critical care issues of the obstetric patient population and, second, to present current comprehensive treatment options for preeclampsia and massive obstetric hemorrhage because both are responsible for the majority of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Results: The most common reasons for intensive care unit admission are hypertensive disorders and massive obstetric hemorrhage. Timely delivery and prompt initiation of antihypertensive therapy for severe hypertension form the mainstay of care in preeclampsia. Restoration of circulating blood volume and rapid control of bleeding and impaired coagulation are the main factors in the management of massive obstetric hemorrhage. Puerperal morbidity has become the main topic of quality of care issues in maternity care. Although the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score is commonly used in the intensive care unit, it does not seem to be appropriate for pregnant women because it overestimates their mortality rates. A high-dependency care unit suits the needs for at least half of the obstetric patient population in need of higher acuity care and will save considerable cost. Conclusion., Emphasis on early detection of maternal problems and prompt referral to tertiary centers with intensive care unit facilities to provide optimum care of the circulation, blood pressure, and respiration at an early stage could minimize the prevalence of multiple organ failure and mortality in critically ill obstetric patients.