Duke Health has implemented targeted enhancements to increase access to subspecialty care in oncology, cardiology, and orthopaedics. Patients can now access expedited appointments within 48 hours, ensuring timely interventions and continuity of care with providers in the community.
Key efforts to improve access for patients across these specialties include:
- Expanded clinical footprint, with more locations in and around the Triangle
- Additional provider capacity, including more providers and increased availability for evenings and weekends
- Simplified scheduling, with centralized call centers to help referring providers connect patients with the care they need
Call the referring provider team Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 866-385-3123 (1-866-DUKE-123). You can also email OncologyReferral@Duke.edu or fax 919-613-2316.
Concierge connection to Duke cancer care
The Duke Cancer Institute (DCI) launched concierge scheduling through a centralized call center in 2023, offering patients and referring providers a fast track to care.
The concierge team improved access, response time, and communication with referring providers. One factor that has helped streamline the process is a medical review of patients’ records prior to an initial visit. “Duke oncology care is distinctive because our team conducts a medical review in the background to ensure that when the patient arrives for the visit, we’ve prepared as thoroughly as possible,” says Jennifer Kennedy-Stovall, director of DCI Access Operations and Patient Experience.
Faster access to Duke Heart
Duke Heart has also added its capacity for care with 11 locations in and around the Triangle, expanding clinics, procedure spaces, and imaging times including evening and weekend appointments. With more providers, Duke Heart is decreasing wait times and simplifying scheduling.
“All of us at Duke understand how important it is for referring providers to get patients the right care at the right time,” says Manesh R. Patel, MD, chief of the Duke Division of Cardiology and the Division of Clinical Pharmacology. “We recognize our role to bring the greatest discoveries in heart care closer for our colleagues and communities, and we want to work with providers in the community to bring those to patients.”
Expedited appointments with orthopaedic specialists and urgent cares
Duke Orthopaedics now has more orthopaedic surgeons, nonoperative musculoskeletal physicians, and advanced practice providers at its 18 locations throughout the Triangle. “We have experts who are at the top of their game in all aspects of orthopaedics. We aim to provide care that’s as good as or better than you can get anywhere in the world for orthopaedic problems,” says Benjamin A. Alman, MD, chair of the Duke Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
New and expanded orthopaedics locations reduce wait times and make appointments more convenient, with sites in Wake County to see patients on nights and weekends. Duke also has dedicated orthopaedic urgent cares at Duke Health Center Arringdon in Morrisville and Duke Health Apex to accommodate walk-ins and acute care, with plans for additional locations in 2026.