Patient Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU)

ABSTRACT

Introduction There is a drive within the National Health Service towards a more personalised approach to healthcare. Patient-centred care gives individuals more control over their mental and physical health. We have implemented a patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU) system, within our trust. This provides patients with autonomy for arranging follow-up appointments when needed and saves unnecessary routine reviews. Methods Two consultant surgeons have offered a ‘PIFU style’ follow-up. Selected patients seen in clinic were discharged but provided with a PIFU card. Patients returned this card if they needed to be seen again in clinic for the same complaint. Results During the study period 149 patients were discharged with a PIFU card. There were 1370 appointments (New and Follow-up) over the same period. Only 17% of PIFU patients (twenty-six) returned within six months. One hundred and twenty-three patients (83%) sought no further appointments. This reduced unnecessary, routine follow-up visits. If a greater proportion of patients were discharged in a timely fashion and offered a PIFU card, then outpatient clinic efficiency would be further improved. Conclusion The potential benefits of a PIFU system include financial savings, patient autonomy, more clinic availability and fewer wasted GP appointments for re-referrals. Adopting a PIFU based system, helps to reduce service waiting times. PIFU is an important tool both for improving outpatient clinic efficiency and increasing patient autonomy. PIFU should be used widely, to help recovery after COVID-19.