What is one-way referral system in health care delivery system?

In the context of healthcare, a one-way referral system is a system where patients can be referred to specialists such as doctors, or healthcare providers from a primary care physician or a general practitioner, while the specialists cannot directly refer patients back to the primary care physician.

In this system, the patient's primary care provider acts as a gatekeeper, controlling which specialists the patient can see. This system is designed to ensure that patients receive appropriate care and that medical resources are used efficiently. The one-way referral system can help control the cost of healthcare, as it ensures that patients are referred to specialists only when absolutely necessary. It helps promote continuity of care, as all records are maintained in one centralised location, and facilitate communication and collaboration between healthcare providers.