Abstract
Within the healthcare system, health services have been categorized into different levels to enhance healthcare management. The concept of service leveling involves the provision of services in a sequential and adaptable manner. In the event that a specialized environment's client requires more advanced services that are not available within that facility, the patient is transferred to an associated unit at the same or higher level that offers the required specialized services. This sequence of services within the healthcare system is known as the referral system (1). The healthcare referral system facilitates a strong connection between healthcare tiers and the individual receiving medical care (2,3). Patients can benefit from a second opinion from a specialist, access to more specialized care, and enhanced outcomes through the referral system. Additional benefits include lower overall healthcare expenditures, better use of staff and patient time, and lessened "induced demand" for medical care (1).
At present, the health system in Iran lacks definitive guidelines pertaining to the dissemination of patient medical information. In the event that a patient requires specialized information regarding their health, to whom or what service should they direct their inquiry? Based on the available evidence, it can be inferred that the primary source of medical information for patients is their physician (4). In the event that the physician is unable to provide comprehensive and satisfactory responses to the patient's inquiries during the medical visit, will they make a referral to another individual or information resource? Is there a specific program in place within medical center libraries to address the information requirements of patients? Would it be possible for a patient or their companion to obtain accurate and evidence-based information by visiting the medical center's library? It is evident that the healthcare system lacks a structured approach for delivering information services to patients and directing them to authorized sources to address their inquiries.
There have been various approaches and interpretations, such as prescribing information (5) and information therapy (6,7), patient education (8), information counseling (9), and consumer health information (10), that have aimed to improve the accessibility of medical information for patients within the health system. However, none of them are officially recognized as important programs within the current healthcare system of Iran, thus they cannot ensure that vital patient medical information will be communicated at the time of service. It is important for the country's health system to prioritize this issue in order to ensure that patients have access to information.
Without this prioritization, it may be difficult to guarantee patients' rights to information in the health system (11). Therefore, it is crucial to establish clear rules and regulations to ensure that patients receive necessary information and that the information referral system within the healthcare system is effective. It would be beneficial if clinical guidelines provide clear guidance on the referral system for information, in order to ensure that the patient receives information in a timely and effective manner. During a medical visit, it is important for the doctor to understand the patient's need for information and provide appropriate referrals to reliable and specialized sources. If the library or information department of the hospital, clinic , or treatment center is unable to provide information based on medical evidence, alternative sources should be referred. It may be beneficial to direct the patient's inquiry to a higher authority who can provide the most accurate and comprehensible information. This process is the information referral system within the healthcare system. If clinical guidelines provide clear guidance on the referral system for information, it will ensure that the patient receives information in a timely and effective manner. When healthcare professionals utilize the information referral system to communicate with patients, manage treatment processes, monitor disease improvement, gather feedback from patients, and provide feedback to patients, the implementation and management of the referral system within the healthcare system will be more informed, safer, and promote better health outcomes. It is believed that the implementation of an information referral system could potentially ensure the accurate dissemination of information to patients within the healthcare system. One approach to managing costs and improving patient outcomes is to provide evidence-based information at various stages of care. This can help reduce extra costs (12) and unnecessary hospital readmissions, prevent patient errors (13), and better manage the supply and demand of induced healthcare services. The referral system for information services has the potential to enhance and streamline the management of various types of information centers and libraries catering to diverse segments of society, including doctors, students, researchers, women, patients, and others. It is noteworthy that the system is not limited to patients alone. By implementing the referral system and standardizing information services, health information centers and libraries can be optimized for improved efficiency and effectiveness.
It would be beneficial to establish regulations for the information referral system within the health system. Highly trained medical professionals, including doctors and health information specialists with advanced degrees in medical librarianship and information science, are well-equipped to address this crucial issue. It may be possible to implement the health information referral system in both online and physical environments without incurring significant expenses. This could be achieved by utilizing the expertise of medical professionals and medical information experts within the health system.