Referrals and barriers
Self-referral:
Self-referral is a term used to describe the access a person has to a service by asking for it themselves. It refers to when patients are able to refer themselves to a professional without having to see anyone first, or without being told to refer themselves by another health professional. My client did not use self-referral; however one example is making an appointment with a GP. Another is by going to an Accident and Emergency department.
Professional referral:
Professional referral is when a professional care worker arranges a service for someone. You cannot arrange it directly yourself. Professional referral occurs when an individual is referred from one professional care worker to another for advice or treatment. My client used this referral after her GP referred her to a psychologist for treatment with her depression. An example of professional referral is having an ultra sound scan. You cannot ask for one yourself, however you GP can request one for you. A GP, social worker or other professional will only make a professional if they feel it is necessary for you to have it. Another example where my client was referred to seek professional help is when she was referred to Brookvale adolescence services for treatment and therapy.
Third-party referral:
Third party referral is when another person who is not a health or social care professional arranges a service for you. In relation to Health care, third party referrals refers to a person (usually family or friend) that makes contact with a doctor or other health professional on the patient's behalf. For example, a person might make a doctor's appointment for a sick parent. Another example is a teacher contacting a social worker about a child who is at risk of abuse. My client has used this referrals often during all of her client services. For example when my client was going through depression her parents called the doctor to arrange an appointment with the hope of treatment. Also when my client was self-harming and attempted suicide her parents called the ambulance to help with the situation. Another example is when the school called my client’s parents to inform them of the problems which occurred during school due to her condition. For example after self-harming in school, the parents were informed to accompany their daughter in the hospital.
Physical barriers:
A physical barrier is when a client cannot access a service due to mobility or physical problems blocking their access to a building or part of building where the service is provided. This barrier might affect a person with a mobility problem, for example some who regularly uses a wheelchair may find it difficult to travel in certain areas because the building may be lacking facilities to support the clients need. The physical features of certain premises can create barriers that can put disabled people at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled people in accessing their goods or services.
Psychological barriers:
This barrier is caused by a client’s beliefs, fears or ignorance. A major psychological factor is fear. For example people are afraid to visit the GP because they are afraid they might be diagnosed with a serious illness. Another factor is self-worth. Some people don’t feel good enough or have low levels of self-esteem so going to the GP and finding out that there’s something wrong with you will only lower your self-esteem and interpretation of yourself. Personally my client was afraid as well really down because of her self-wroth. Finding out that she suffered from depression only made the situation a lot worse, the idea of treatment at Brookvale and anti-depressants only increased her fears of achieving the goals intended by the services she was receiving.
Financial barriers:
Financial barriers occur when a client cannot afford to pay for a service. This applies mainly to private services where the treatments are much faster and more specialised.