Keywords
Consultation
Primary Health Care
Healthcare models
Ecuador
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction. The Ecuadorian healthcare system is divided into levels according to the complexity and reso- lution of cases, which seeks to ensure timely and effective care, although it faces operational limitations due to overdemand on hospitals and limited capacity for resolution in primary care.
Objective. To identify the main causes of referral from primary care to pediatric consultation at a general hospital in Ecuador, evaluating its effectiveness and compliance.
Methodology. A descriptive, retrospective study was conducted using an anonymized matrix, which included all patients under 15 years of age referred between January 2023 and June 2024. Demographic, clinical, and operational variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results. A total of 1,028 referrals were analyzed, of which 58% were male and 46.7% were children between the ages of 1 and 5; 92% came from urban areas, and 66.6% were referred by general practitioners. The five main reasons for referral were: malnutrition (13.2%), hip dysplasia (10.6%), language disorders (9.4%), phimosis (2.8%), and heart murmur (2.5%). Only 60.7% of those who requested appointments attended the consultation, and the average waiting time was 9.3 days.
Conclusion. The system showed high scheduling rates (89.3%) and short waiting times (9.3 days), although only 60.7% completed the consultation. The main causes of referral reflect the epidemiological profile and limitations of primary care. The assessment of appropriateness should be interpreted with caution due to limitations in the registry and lack of standardized criteria.
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