A review of lead times and determinant factors in public optometry services in South Africa

Abstract

Background: Lead time is the total time spent by a patient in a facility from their arrival until the end of the last service they receive. Increased waiting times, which are idle times, in between service points within a service system significantly lengthen the lead times. Aim: To review lead times and the determinant factors in public optometry services in South Africa. Methods: Literature was reviewed from Google Scholar, PubMed and ScienceDirect databases using key terms such as ‘lead time’, ‘waiting times’, ‘optometry services’ and ‘public hospitals’. To obtain more data about optometry services and wait times in public hospitals, seven websites were also included. Results: It was determined that 38 academic papers were pertinent to the review. Fifteen were optometry and eye care, six on lead time,six on triage, three queuing theory, one on patient flow, three on lean theory and two on frame work. Human resource limitations, insufficient equipment, unequal optometrist distribution and ineffective referral and patient flow mechanisms are among the main issues influencing lead times. Conclusion: To address the prolonged lead times for service in optometry, the report emphasises the urgent need for systemic changes in rural South African public hospitals. To ensure patients receive prompt and efficient eye care. It is imperative to increase the availability of qualified staff, upgrade infrastructure and expedite procurement procedures. Contribution: This study not only sheds light on existing debates on lead times and the system-level factors such as human resources, infrastructure and patient flow inefficiencies that influence them in South African public optometry services, but it also highlights important knowledge gaps and offers guidance for further studies and improvements in the healthcare system.