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Debureaucratization in Primary Care Consultations

Selima KTARI, Anthelme KOUAKOU, Nada ZERAMDINI, Alaeddine BEN MRAD and Zied ELLOUMI

Introduction: Excessive bureaucracy in primary care can lead to dissatisfaction among patients and healthcare professionals, reducing the efficiency and quality of care. This study evaluates the impact of a debureaucratization intervention in primary care.The main objective of the study is to assess the impact of a debureaucratization intervention in primary care on the efficiency and quality of care. Specifics objectives: – Improve care efficiency, measured by the number of patients seen per hour. – Reduce the time spent on administrative tasks. – Evaluate the effectiveness of assigning a coordinator, a physician, and administrative staff to handle bureaucratic visits- A de-bureaucratization program was implemented by studying the medical visit schedules of 8 primary care physicians. – A daily coordinating physician who reviews schedules and handles bureaucratic visits (for example, lab results, electronic prescriptions, duplicate appointments). – Simplification of administrative processes. – Implementation of information and communication technologies (ICT). – Staff training in time management and task prioritization.The data collected over one month were compared with data from the previous month, working with the same professionals to avoid interprofessional variability. The intervention reduced administrative time by 30% and increased care efficiency by 20% (measured by patients seen per hour). The coordinating physician resolved an average of 25 bureaucratic visits daily, allowing doctors to focus on clinical care.The positive results of the study can be attributed to several factors: – Assignment of a coordinating doctor. – Assigning competent administrative staff. – Use of information and communication technologies.Debureaucratization in primary care is an effective strategy to improve efficiency and the quality of care. Assigning a coordinating doctor with administrative support has been crucial for implementing and maintaining the debureaucratization program.