Patient Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) is an approach that empowers patients to take control of their care by allowing them to request follow-up appointments when they feel it’s needed, rather than attending routine, scheduled visits.
We have been speaking to Clinical Operations Manager for Outpatient Transformation, Abi Rawnsley, about how we can better use PIFU to improve care and avoid unnecessary appointments.
Why are we looking at improving the use of PIFU?
For people with long term conditions, or following surgery, we often arrange follow-up appointments. But not all patients need regular follow-up appointments by the hospital team. PIFU gives patients to access clinical teams when they feel they need to get some help with their condition or, for example, have a flare up of symptoms. This means rather than having a prearranged or regularly scheduled appointments they can access help when they need it.
This work is part of our ongoing improvement programme led by the Outpatient Improvement Team and supported through our Outpatient User Groups (OPUGs). Together, we are continuously reviewing processes to make outpatient services more efficient, patient-centred, and sustainable, and a part of this is how we encourage PIFU.
How will PIFU help services?
PIFU can help free up capacity in our clinics. Patients only need to come for a follow up appointment if it is clinically appropriate and means that we can use that capacity to see patients who need more urgent care, or who have more complex needs.
How does PIFU help improve care?
We have seen in areas who are using PIFU that it is leading to better patient experience as patients are involved in making decisions about their own care. Some specialities have also developed tailored guidance for conditions that are appropriate for PIFU to support informed decision making.
How do people setup PIFU in their service?
The Outpatient Improvement Team can help services who want to use PIFU, or better use PIFU. There is a template to complete where teams and clinical colleagues can record how they could support and promote the use of PIFU in their specialty (see attached document). There is also lots of information on the intranet too: Patient Initiated Follow Up (PIFU) - CHFT Intranet
How does PIFU work with DrDoctor for digital patient communications?
We are promoting the use of Digital PIFU so that it is easy for patients to ask for a follow up via DrDoctor, without having to call us. When a patient is placed on a PIFU pathway, they will receive a text message and email with a secure link. Using this link, they complete a short online form explaining why they need a follow-up. The request is sent directly to an agreed team within the specialty. Clinicians can review the information and decide on the next steps based on agreed guidance. Patients then receive confirmation and instructions digitally.
This approach supports a reduction in follow-up appointments, improves patient experience and potential improvement in DNAs and late cancellation rates as patients are only booked in when they require an appointment.
The image attached shows how it looks in DrDoctor. So, if your specialty team is interested please contact us using the email addresses below.
Where can I find out more information?
You can read more about PIFU on the intranet here: Patient Initiated Follow Up (PIFU) - CHFT Intranet - or feel free to get in touch with one of the team for more information:
