Referral and counter-referral system

In a society characterized by an aging population and an increase in non-communicable diseases the high demand for health services by the population becomes a major health problem requiring an efficient and coordinated work of the health system. Therefore the Referral and Counter-referral System is the ideal mechanism to achieve this close link. Taking into account the above this monograph was carried out with the objective of determining the role of this system as an integrating mechanism within the health system. It allowed to define this system to characterize the processes that compose it and its articulation; being also identified the factors that influence its functioning being able to specify the main measures that can be adopted that favor an efficient work of this; allowing it to be established as a very effective tool which guarantees the provision of adequate health care to the population.