Table 1 Example of search strategy in MEDLINE/Ovid database

1

(client* or patient* or “service user*”).ti. or (client* or patient* or “service user*”).ab.

2

Patient Selection.sh.

3

1 or 2

4

(categor* or setting or strateg* or system* or tool*).ti. or (categor* or setting or strateg* or system* or tool*).ab.

5

Classification/

6

4 or 5

7

(queu* or delay* or “waiting time*” or “wait time*” or “waiting list*” or “wait list*” or waitlist*).ti. or (queu* or delay* or “waiting time*” or “wait time*” or “waiting list*” or “wait list*” or waitlist*).ab.

8

Systems Theory.sh.

9

Waiting Lists.sh.

10

7 or 8 or 9

11

(priorit* or triag*).ti. or (priorit* or triag*).ab.

12

Health Priorities.sh.

13

Triage.sh.

14

11 or 12 or 13

15

(“health service*” or “healthcare service*”).ti. or (“health service*” or “healthcare service*”).ab.

16

Health Services.sh.

17

15 or 16

18

3 or 6 or 10

19

14 and 18

20

17 and 19