doorverwijzer

Doorverwijzer is a Dutch term that refers to a person or system that directs individuals to the appropriate health, social, or welfare service. In healthcare, a doorverwijzer assesses the needs of a client and forwards them to the appropriate care provider, such as a huisarts, a medical specialist, or an allied health professional. They may issue a verwijzing (referral) or arrange a care pathway, and coordinate communication between multiple professionals. The role can be carried out by a professional individual, such as a general practitioner, a case manager, a nurse, or a social worker, or by digital platforms that perform triage and referral routing.

In the Netherlands, the huisarts often acts as a gatekeeper to specialist care, and many forms of specialist care require a verwijzing for insurer reimbursement. Some services allow direct access, but for others a doorverwijzer is necessary to obtain coverage and appropriate care. Doorverwijzers in mental health or youth care coordinate across services and families, and in social services may connect clients with benefits, housing, or educational support.

In social services and youth care, a doorverwijzer assesses needs and connects individuals or families to support services, benefits, housing, education, and therapy. Digital doorverwijzers, in turn, are referral portals or triage systems used by municipalities and insurers to route clients to care pathways, often based on intake questions and risk assessments.

Overall, the doorverwijzer role centers on navigation, coordination, and ensuring appropriate care while safeguarding privacy and continuity of care.