Wait and consult times for primary healthcare services in central Mozambique: a time-motion study

• Main Authors: Bradley H. Wagenaar (Author), Sarah Gimbel (Author), Roxanne Hoek (Author), James Pfeiffer (Author), Cathy Michel (Author), Fatima Cuembelo (Author), Titos Quembo (Author), Pires Afonso (Author), Stephen Gloyd (Author), Barrot H. Lambdin (Author), Mark A. Micek (Author), Victoria Porthé (Author), Kenneth Sherr (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group, 2016-08-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1654-9880; 10.3402/gha.v9.31980
• Keywords: health services research; maternal and child health; maternity services; primary health care; priority setting; healthcare allocation; health professionals; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Global Health Action, Vol 9, Iss 0, Pp 1-10 (2016)

Background: We describe wait and consult times across public-sector clinics and identify health facility determinants of wait and consult times. Design: We observed 8,102 patient arrivals and departures from clinical service areas across 12 public-sector clinics in Sofala and Manica Provinces between January and April 2011. Negative binomial generalized estimating equations were used to model associated health facility factors. Results: Mean wait times (in minutes) were: 26.1 for reception; 43.5 for outpatient consults; 58.8 for antenatal visits; 16.2 for well-child visits; 8.0 for pharmacy; and 15.6 for laboratory. Mean consultation times (in minutes) were: 5.3 for outpatient consults; 9.4 for antenatal visits; and 2.3 for well-child visits. Over 70% (884/1,248) of patients arrived at the clinic to begin queuing for general reception prior to 10:30 am. Facilities with more institutional births had significantly longer wait times for general reception, antenatal visits, and well-child visits. Clinics in rural areas had especially shorter wait times for well-child visits. Outpatient consultations were significantly longer at the smallest health facilities, followed by rural hospitals, tertiary/quaternary facilities, compared with Type 1 rural health centers. Discussion: The average outpatient consult in Central Mozambique lasts 5 min, following over 40 min of waiting, not including time to register at most clinics. Wait times for first antenatal visits are even longer at almost 1 h. Urgent investments in public-sector human resources for health alongside innovative operational research are needed to increase consult times, decrease wait times, and improve health system responsiveness.