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Schmalstieg-Bahr K, Colombo MG, Koch R, Szecsenyi J, Völker F, Blozik EE, Scherer M. Intramural Health Care Through Video Consultations and the Need for Referrals and Hospital Admissions: Retrospective Quantitative Subanalysis of an Evaluation Study. Interact J Med Res 2024; 13:e44906. [PMID: 38941595 DOI: 10.2196/44906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In comparison to the general population, prison inmates are at a higher risk for drug abuse and psychiatric, as well as infectious, diseases. Although intramural health care has to be equivalent to extramural services, prison inmates have less access to primary and secondary care. Furthermore, not every prison is constantly staffed with a physician. Since transportation to the nearest extramural medical facility is often resource-intensive, video consultations may offer cost-effective health care for prison inmates. OBJECTIVE This study aims to quantify the need for referrals to secondary care services and hospital admissions when video consultations with family physicians and psychiatrists are offered in prison. METHODS In 5 German prisons, a mixed methods evaluation study was conducted to assess feasibility, acceptance, and reasons for conducting video consultations with family physicians and psychiatrists. This analysis uses quantitative data from these consultations (June 2018 to February 2019) in addition to data from a sixth prison added in January 2019 focusing on referral and admission rates, as well as reasons for encounters. RESULTS At the initiation of the project, 2499 prisoners were detained in the 6 prisons. A total of 435 video consultations were conducted by 12 physicians (3 female and 7 male family physicians, and 2 male psychiatrists during the study period). The majority were scheduled consultations (341/435, 78%). In 68% (n=294) of all encounters, the patient was asked to consult a physician again if symptoms persisted or got worse. In 26% (n=115), a follow-up appointment with either the video consultant or prison physician was scheduled. A referral to other specialties, most often psychiatry, was necessary in 4% (n=17) of the cases. Only in 2% (n=8) of the consultations, a hospital admission was needed. Usually, hospital admissions were the result of unscheduled consultations, and the videoconferencing system was the method of communication in 88% (n=7) of these cases, while 12% (n=1) were carried out over the phone. Reasons for admissions were severe abdominal pain, hypotension, unstable angina or suspected myocardial infarction, or a suspected schizophrenic episode. CONCLUSIONS Most scheduled and unscheduled consultations did not require subsequent patient transport to external health care providers. Using telemedicine services allowed a prompt patient-physician encounter with the possibility to refer patients to other specialties or to admit them to a hospital if necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Schmalstieg-Bahr
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- A+ Videoclinic GmbH, Gräfelfing, Germany
| | - Miriam Giovanna Colombo
- Institute for General Practice and Interprofessional Care, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Roland Koch
- Institute for General Practice and Interprofessional Care, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Joachim Szecsenyi
- Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Eva Elisabeth Blozik
- A+ Videoclinic GmbH, Gräfelfing, Germany
- Institute of Primary Care, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Scherer
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- A+ Videoclinic GmbH, Gräfelfing, Germany
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O'Dwyer B, Macaulay K, Murray J, Jaana M. Improving Access to Specialty Pediatric Care: Innovative Referral and eConsult Technology in a Specialized Acute Care Hospital. Telemed J E Health 2024; 30:1306-1316. [PMID: 38100321 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated wait times for pediatric specialty care. Transformative technologies such as electronic referral (eReferral-automation of patient information) and electronic consultations (eConsult-asynchronous request for specialized advice by primary care providers) have the potential to increase timely access to specialist care. The objective of this study was to present an overview of the current state and characteristics of referrals directed to a pediatric ambulatory medical surgery center, with an emphasis on the innovative use of an eConsult system and to indicate key considerations for system improvement. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a specialized pediatric acute care hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. Secondary data were obtained over a 2-year period during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2022). To gain insights and identify areas of improvement related to the factors pertaining to referrals and eConsults at the process and system levels, quality improvement (QI) methodologies were employed. Descriptive statistics provide a summary of the trends and characteristics of referrals and the utilization of eConsult. Results: Among the 113,790 referrals received, 31,430 were denied. Most common reasons for referral denial were other/null (e.g., unspecified) (29.3%), inappropriate referrals (12.6%), and duplicate referrals (12.4%). Four clinics (e.g., endocrinology, cardiology, neurology, and neurosurgery) reported a total of 277 eConsults, with endocrinology accounting for 95.0% of all eConsults. QI findings revealed the need for standardized workflows among specialties and ensuring that eConsult options are accessible and integrated within the electronic medical record (EMR). Conclusions: Refining the pediatric referral management process and optimizing eConsult through existing clinical systems have the potential to improve the timeliness and quality of specialty care. The results inform future research initiatives targeting improved access to pediatric specialty care and serve as a benchmark for hospitals utilizing EMRs and eConsult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brynn O'Dwyer
- Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | | | - Mirou Jaana
- Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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Rankine J, Yeramosu D, Matheo L, Sequeira GM, Miller E, Ray KN. Optimizing e-Consultations to Adolescent Medicine Specialists: Qualitative Synthesis of Feedback From User-Centered Design. JMIR Hum Factors 2021; 8:e25568. [PMID: 34383665 PMCID: PMC8380586 DOI: 10.2196/25568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND e-Consultations between primary care physicians and specialists are a valuable means of improving access to specialty care. Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) face unique challenges in accessing limited adolescent medicine specialty care resources, which contributes to delayed or forgone care. e-Consultations between general pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists may alleviate these barriers to care. However, the optimal application of this model in adolescent medicine requires careful attention to the nuances of AYA care. OBJECTIVE This study aims to qualitatively analyze feedback obtained during the iterative development of an e-consultation system for communication between general pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists tailored to the specific health care needs of AYAs. METHODS We conducted an iterative user-centered design and evaluation process in two phases. In the first phase, we created a static e-consultation prototype and storyboards and evaluated them with target users (general pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists). In the second phase, we incorporated feedback to develop a functional prototype within the electronic health record and again evaluated this with general pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists. In each phase, general pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists provided think-aloud feedback during the use of the prototypes and semistructured exit interviews, which was qualitatively analyzed to identify perspectives related to the usefulness and usability of the e-consultation system. RESULTS Both general pediatricians (n=12) and adolescent medicine specialists (n=12) perceived the usefulness of e-consultations for AYA patients, with more varied perceptions of potential usefulness for generalist and adolescent medicine clinicians. General pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists discussed ways to maximize the usability of e-consultations for AYAs, primarily by improving efficiency (eg, reducing documentation, emphasizing critical information, using autopopulated data fields, and balancing specificity and efficiency through text prompts) and reducing the potential for errors (eg, prompting a review of autopopulated data fields, requiring physician contact information, and prompting explicit discussion of patient communication and confidentiality expectations). Through iterative design, patient history documentation was streamlined, whereas documentation of communication and confidentiality expectations were enhanced. CONCLUSIONS Through an iterative user-centered design process, we identified user perspectives to guide the refinement of an e-consultation system based on general pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist feedback on usefulness and usability related to the care of AYAs. Qualitative analysis of this feedback revealed both opportunities and risks related to confidentiality, communication, and the use of tailored documentation prompts that should be considered in the development and use of e-consultations with AYAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelin Rankine
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Deepika Yeramosu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Loreta Matheo
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Gina M Sequeira
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Division of Adolescent Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Miller
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kristin N Ray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Singh J, Lou A, Green M, Keely E, Greenaway M, Liddy C. Evaluation of an electronic consultation service for transgender care. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2021; 22:55. [PMID: 33743596 PMCID: PMC7980551 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-021-01401-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Access to transgender care in Canada is poor. Although primary care providers are ideally positioned to initiate care, many feel uncomfortable providing transgender care. This study aimed to explore the impact of an electronic consultation (eConsult) service between primary care providers and transgender care specialists on access to care and to explore the content of clinical questions that were asked. METHODS This was a retrospective mixed methods analysis of 62 eConsults submitted between January 2017 and December 2018 by primary care providers to specialists in transgender care in a health region in eastern Ontario, Canada. A descriptive analysis was conducted to assess the average response time and the total time spent by the specialist for the eConsults. An inductive and deductive content analysis was carried out to identify common themes of clinical questions being asked to transgender specialists. A post-eConsult survey completed by primary care providers was assessed to gain insight into avoided face-to-face referrals and overall provider satisfaction. RESULTS The median specialist response time was 1.2 days (range: 1 h to 5 days) and the average time spent by specialists per eConsult was 18 min (range: 10 to 40 min). The qualitative analysis identified six major themes: 1) interpretation/management of abnormal bloodwork, 2) change in management due to lack of desired effect/hormone levels not a target, 3) initiation of hormone therapy/initial work up, 4) management of adverse effects of hormone therapy, 5) transition related surgery counseling and post-op complications, and 6) management of patients with comorbidities. Approximately one-third of eConsults resulted in an avoided face-to-face referral and 95% of primary care providers rated the value of their eConsult as a 5 (excellent value) or 4. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that a transgender eConsult service has potential to significantly improve access to care for transgender patients. Given the importance that timely access has on improving mental health and reducing suicide attempts, eConsult has the potential to make a substantial clinical impact on this population. Identified themes of eConsult questions provides insight into potential gaps in knowledge amongst primary care providers that could help inform future continuing education events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatinderpreet Singh
- Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada. .,C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | | | - Michael Green
- Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.,Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Erin Keely
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Division of Endocrinology/Metabolism, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Clare Liddy
- C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Rea CJ, Samuels RC, Shah S, Rosen M, Toomey SL. Electronic Consultation: Latest Evidence Regarding the Impact on Referral Patterns, Patient Experience, Cost, and Quality. Acad Pediatr 2020; 20:891-892. [PMID: 32534872 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2020.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Corinna J Rea
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital (CJ Rea, RC Samuels, S Shah, M Rosen, and SL Toomey), Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School (CJ Rea, RC Samuels, S Shah, and SL Toomey), Boston, Mass.
| | - Ronald C Samuels
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital (CJ Rea, RC Samuels, S Shah, M Rosen, and SL Toomey), Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School (CJ Rea, RC Samuels, S Shah, and SL Toomey), Boston, Mass
| | - Snehal Shah
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital (CJ Rea, RC Samuels, S Shah, M Rosen, and SL Toomey), Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School (CJ Rea, RC Samuels, S Shah, and SL Toomey), Boston, Mass
| | - Melissa Rosen
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital (CJ Rea, RC Samuels, S Shah, M Rosen, and SL Toomey), Boston, Mass
| | - Sara L Toomey
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital (CJ Rea, RC Samuels, S Shah, M Rosen, and SL Toomey), Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School (CJ Rea, RC Samuels, S Shah, and SL Toomey), Boston, Mass
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Wood BR, Bender JA, Jackson S, Rosengaus L, Pottinger PS, Gottlieb GS, Dhanireddy S, Harrington RD, Pruzhanskaya Y, Chew LD, Scott JD. Electronic Consults for Infectious Diseases in a United States Multisite Academic Health System. Open Forum Infect Dis 2020; 7:ofaa101. [PMID: 32328507 PMCID: PMC7166117 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
We launched Infectious Disease electronic consultations (eConsults) in 2018. During the first 15.5 months, primary care practitioners submitted 328 eConsults; the most frequent reasons were a positive culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result, syphilis, and latent tuberculosis. Practitioners commonly requested advice on antimicrobial choice, clinical evaluation, and indications for treatment. Internal phone consultations decreased after eConsult implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian R Wood
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jessica A Bender
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sara Jackson
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Leah Rosengaus
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Paul S Pottinger
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Geoffrey S Gottlieb
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shireesha Dhanireddy
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Robert D Harrington
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Lisa D Chew
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - John D Scott
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Kendall CE, Porter JE, Shoemaker ES, Seoyeon Kang R, Fitzgerald M, Keely E, Afkham A, Crowe L, MacPherson P, Rosenes R, Lundrigan P, Bibeau C, Liddy C. Evolving Toward Shared HIV Care Using the Champlain BASE eConsult Service. MDM Policy Pract 2019; 4:2381468319868216. [PMID: 31453365 PMCID: PMC6699006 DOI: 10.1177/2381468319868216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Electronic consultation (eConsultation) is a potential
strategy to improve access to specialist expertise and facilitate collaborative
care models. The Champlain BASE eConsult service allows for asynchronous
communication between primary care providers (PCP) and specialists on a secure,
web-based system. HIV experts accessible include HIV physician specialists, HIV
pharmacists, and social workers with expertise in HIV. Objective.
This study aims to describe the use, value, and utility of this eConsultation
service in the care of people living with HIV and to characterize the common
question types and clinical topics asked by PCPs. Methods. We
analyzed the data from eConsults sent to the HIV specialty group in Ontario’s
Champlain Local Health Integration Network between February 2015 and December
2017. Usage data and close-out survey responses were analyzed using descriptive
statistics, eConsults were classified using a predefined list of validated
taxonomy, and a thematic analysis was performed on the consultation logs to
identify common clinical themes. Results. Among the 46 eConsults,
the most common question type related to drug treatment (58.7%,
n = 27) and management (19.6%, n = 9). The
main clinical themes involved the care of significant complexities in people
living with HIV, such as comorbidities and drug interactions, and suggestions of
coordinated patient care. As well, eConsult was used for advice regarding
pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV-negative patients at risk of HIV infection.
PCPs highly valued the eConsult service (average rating 4.8/5).
Conclusion. Overall, this study demonstrates that eConsult
provides an efficient and valuable service to PCPs caring for patients living
with or at risk for HIV by improving access to HIV specialists and facilitating
the delivery of team-based comprehensive care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Kendall
- C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Janessa E Porter
- C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Esther S Shoemaker
- C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rachel Seoyeon Kang
- C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Fitzgerald
- C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erin Keely
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amir Afkham
- Champlain Local Health Integration Network, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lois Crowe
- C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul MacPherson
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ron Rosenes
- C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Philip Lundrigan
- C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christine Bibeau
- C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Clare Liddy
- C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Liddy C, Moroz I, Keely E, Taljaard M, Deri Armstrong C, Afkham A, Kendall CE. Understanding the impact of a multispecialty electronic consultation service on family physician referral rates to specialists: a randomized controlled trial using health administrative data. Trials 2019; 20:348. [PMID: 31182123 PMCID: PMC6558850 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3393-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Electronic consultation (eConsult) services are secure online applications facilitating provider-to-provider communication. They have been found to improve access to specialist care. However, little is known about eConsult’s impact on family physicians’ referral rates to specialty care. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a multispecialty eConsult service on referral rates from primary care. Methods In this parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial, we recruited primary care providers across Ontario not previously enrolled with eConsult. We randomly assigned participants to intervention and control arms. Participants in the intervention arm received access to eConsult for a period of 1 year while those in the control arm received no access to eConsult. The main outcome was specialist referral rate, expressed as the total number of referrals to (1) specialties available through eConsult, and (2) all medical specialties, per 100 patients seen. Multivariable negative binomial regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention before and after adjusting for provider characteristics, using health administrative data. Results One hundred and thirteen participants were randomized (56 to control and 57 to intervention). For the primary outcome (referrals to eConsult specialties), the results show a statistically significant reduction in the number of referrals in both arms (control-arm Rate Ratio (RR), 0.85, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.91; intervention-arm RR, 0.80, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.85; unadjusted and adjusted RR values almost identical), as compared to the baseline data collected during the 12-month period before randomization, with a non-statistically significant 6% greater reduction in referrals in the intervention arm, compared to the control arm (unadjusted RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.03; adjusted RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.03). Conclusions Our randomized controlled trial of a multispecialty eConsult service demonstrated inconclusive results in terms of the impact of eConsult on physician referral rates. Findings are discussed in light of important limitations associated with conducting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of complex interventions in the primary care context with intent to inform the design and analysis of future trials. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT02053467. Registered prospectively on 3 February 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Liddy
- C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, 43 Bruyère St. Annex E, Room 106, Ottawa, ON, K1N 5C8, Canada. .,Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Isabella Moroz
- C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, 43 Bruyère St. Annex E, Room 106, Ottawa, ON, K1N 5C8, Canada.,Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Erin Keely
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Division of Endocrinology/Metabolism, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Monica Taljaard
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Amir Afkham
- Champlain Local Health Integration Network, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Claire E Kendall
- C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, 43 Bruyère St. Annex E, Room 106, Ottawa, ON, K1N 5C8, Canada.,Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Furlan A, Pajer K, Gardner W, MacLeod B. Project ECHO: Building capacity to manage complex conditions in rural, remote and underserved areas. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL MEDICINE 2019; 24:115-120. [DOI: 10.4103/cjrm.cjrm_20_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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