Study Reveals Centralized Referrals Could Slash Surgery Wait Times
About one in three Canadians waiting for hip or knee replacements face delays beyond the recommended six months. Instead of expanding private clinics or adding costly resources, a new study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests a smarter fix: reorganizing how patients get referred to surgeons.
Canada’s Surgery Wait Times: A Persistent Challenge
Dr. David Urbich, lead author and head of surgery at Women’s College Hospital, calls access to scheduled surgeries Canada’s “Achilles heel.” Currently, only 66% of hip replacement patients and 59% of knee replacement patients receive surgery within the 182-day benchmark. The backlog frustrates patients and strains the healthcare system.
How Centralized Referral Models Work
The study analyzed over 17,000 surgeries in Ontario, comparing three referral models:
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Single-entry referral: All patient referrals in a region pool together and route to the next available surgeon for consultation.
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Team-based care: After consultation, patients join a shared regional surgery queue, scheduled with the next available surgeon.
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Fully integrated model: Combines both approaches, pooling patients for consultation and surgery, seeing the next available surgeon at each step.
Teamwork Cuts Waits Dramatically
Results showed that team-based and fully integrated models significantly reduce wait times compared to single-entry referral alone. “The best model is when surgeons work together in teams and share patient care,” Urbich explains. Patients see the next available surgeon for consultation and surgery, preventing bottlenecks and long delays.
No Extra Surgeons or Operating Rooms Needed
Importantly, the study highlights that improving wait times doesn’t require more surgeons or operating rooms. Instead, it calls for better system coordination and leadership to implement these models effectively. All surgeons involved are fully qualified experts, ensuring quality care remains top priority.
The Road Ahead: Leadership and Infrastructure
To adopt these models, health system leaders must champion change and invest in infrastructure that supports team-based care rather than one-off crisis fixes. This approach promises a sustainable solution to Canada’s surgery backlog, improving timely access for thousands of patients.
By streamlining referrals and fostering collaboration, Canada can finally tackle its hip and knee surgery wait times—no costly expansions required.
