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Kummer B, Hwang S, Agarwal P. Descriptive Analysis of Patients Receiving Outpatient eConsults for Neurological Disorders in the United States. Telemed J E Health 2024. [PMID: 38527283 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Interprofessional consultations ("eConsults"), which facilitate asynchronous specialist consultations, remain understudied in neurological disorders. We aimed to describe the patient population receiving eConsult services for neurological disorders nationwide and to conduct a comparative analysis between rural and urban patients within this eConsult cohort. Methods: We analyzed a dataset of U.S. outpatient claims from employer-sponsored commercial and Medicare plans. Using standardized mean differences, we compared clinical and sociodemographic patient characteristics between urban and rural patients within the eConsult group. Results: We identified 1,374 patients who had an eConsult order for a neurological disorder. Overall eConsult volume increased by 548.5% between 2019 and 2021. A majority of the cohort were aged 65 years or older (23.7%), had an eConsult order in 2021 (52.4%), and live in an urban area (90.4%). The primary diagnosis for our cohort was likely to be a sleep-wake disorder (21.9%), cerebrovascular disease (14.3%), neurological sign or symptom (14.2%), or headache (13.7%). In the secondary analysis, rural eConsult patients exhibited higher rates of primary diagnoses for traumatic brain injury, neuroophthalmic disorders, or neuropathy than their urban counterparts. Discussion: In this national sample of commercially insured patients, the utilization of eConsults for neurological conditions increased nationwide since 2019, especially for patients living in rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Kummer
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Clinical Neuro-Informatics Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Soonmyung Hwang
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Parul Agarwal
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Population Science and Health Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Institute for Health Care Delivery Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Peeters KMM, Reichel LAM, Muris DMJ, Cals JWL. Family Physician-to-Hospital Specialist Electronic Consultation and Access to Hospital Care: A Systematic Review. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2351623. [PMID: 38214930 PMCID: PMC10787322 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.51623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Globally, health care systems face challenges in managing health care costs while maintaining access to hospital care, quality of care, and a good work balance for caregivers. Electronic consultations (e-consultations)-defined as asynchronous, consultative communication between family physicians and hospital specialists-may offer advantages to face these challenges. Objective To provide a quantitative synthesis of the association of e-consultation with access to hospital care and the avoidance of hospital referrals. Evidence Review A systematic search through PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase was conducted. Eligible studies included original research studies published from January 2010 to March 2023 in English, Dutch, or German that reported on outcomes associated with access to hospital care and the avoidance of hospital referrals. Reference lists of included articles were searched for additional studies. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) scores were assigned to assess quality of evidence. Findings The search strategy resulted in 583 records, of which 72 studies were eligible for data extraction after applying exclusion criteria. Most studies were observational, focused on multispecialty services, and were performed in either Canada or the US. Outcomes on access to hospital care and the avoidance of referrals indicated that e-consultation was associated with improved access to hospital care and an increase in avoided referrals to the hospital specialist, although outcomes greatly differed across studies. GRADE scores were low or very low across studies. Conclusions and Relevance In this systematic review of the association of e-consultation with access to hospital care and the avoidance of hospital referrals, results indicated that the use of e-consultation has greatly increased over the years. Although e-consultation was associated with improved access to hospital care and avoidance of hospital referrals, it was hard to draw a conclusion about these outcomes due to heterogeneity and lack of high-quality evidence (eg, from randomized clinical trials). Nevertheless, these results suggest that e-consultation seems to be a promising digital health care implementation, but more rigorous studies are needed; nonrandomized trial designs should be used, and appropriate outcomes should be chosen in future research on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken M. M. Peeters
- Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Zuyderland Medical Centre, Sittard, the Netherlands
- Omnes Medical Coordinating Centre for Diagnostics and Innovation, Sittard, the Netherlands
| | - Loïs A. M. Reichel
- Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis M. J. Muris
- Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Omnes Medical Coordinating Centre for Diagnostics and Innovation, Sittard, the Netherlands
- Public Health Service South Limburg, Heerlen, the Netherlands
| | - Jochen W. L. Cals
- Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Downes MH, Morgenstern R, Naasan G, Patterson S, Pace A, Agarwal P, Shin S, Abrams R, Mueller B, Young J, Tamler R, Vickrey BG, Kummer BR. Healthcare utilization impacts of an eConsult program for headache at an academic medical center. J Telemed Telecare 2023:1357633X231207908. [PMID: 37901905 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x231207908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Interprofessional consultations ("eConsults") can reduce healthcare utilization. However, the impact of eConsults on healthcare utilization remains poorly characterized among patients with headache. METHODS We performed a retrospective, 1:1 matched cohort study comparing patients evaluated for headache via eConsult request or in-person referral at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York. Groups were matched on clinical and demographic characteristics. Our primary outcome was one or more outpatient headache-related encounters in 6 months following referral date. Secondary outcomes included one or more all-cause outpatient neurology and headache-related emergency department (ED) encounters during the same period. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression to model associations between independent variables and outcomes. RESULTS We identified 74 patients with headache eConsults who were matched to 74 patients with in-person referrals. Patients in the eConsult group were less likely to achieve the primary outcome (29.7% vs 62.2%, P < 0.0001) or have an all-cause outpatient neurology encounter (33.8% vs 79.7%, P < 0.0001) than patients in the comparison group. Both groups did not significantly differ by headache-related ED encounters. In multivariable analyses, patients in the eConsult group had significantly lower odds of having one or more headache-related or all-cause neurology encounters than patients in the comparison group (odds ratio (OR) 0.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1-0.6; OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.1-0.3, respectively). DISCUSSION In comparison to in-person referrals, eConsult requests for headache were associated with reduced likelihood of outpatient neurology encounters in the short-term but not with differential use of headache-related ED encounters. Larger-scale, prospective studies should validate our findings and assess patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachelle Morgenstern
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Georges Naasan
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shanna Patterson
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna Pace
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Parul Agarwal
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Susan Shin
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rory Abrams
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bridget Mueller
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - James Young
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald Tamler
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Bone Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Clinical Informatics, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, USA
| | - Barbara G Vickrey
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin R Kummer
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Clinical Informatics, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, USA
- Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Tele-Neuro-Ophthalmology Utilization, Availability, and Attitudes: Update 1 Year Into the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. J Neuroophthalmol 2023; 43:40-47. [PMID: 36166781 PMCID: PMC9924738 DOI: 10.1097/wno.0000000000001663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telehealth was rapidly adopted early in the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to provide medical care while reducing risk of SARS-CoV2 transmission. Since then, telehealth utilization has evolved differentially according to subspecialty. This study assessed changes in neuro-ophthalmology during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Telehealth utilization and opinions pre-COVID-19, early pandemic (spring 2020), and 1 year later (spring 2021) were surveyed among practicing neuro-ophthalmologists in and outside the United States using an online platform. Demographics, self-reported utilization, perceived benefits, barriers, and examination suitability were collected over a 2-week period in May 2021. RESULTS A total of 135 practicing neuro-ophthalmologists (81.5% United States, 47.4% females, median age 45-54 years) completed the survey. The proportion of participants using video visits remained elevated during COVID + 1 year (50.8%) compared with pre-COVID (6%, P < 0.0005, McNemar), although decreased compared with early COVID (67%, P < 0.0005). Video visits were the most commonly used methodology. The proportion of participants using remote testing (42.2% vs 46.2%), virtual second opinions (14.5% vs 11.9%, P = 0.45), and eConsults (13.5% vs 16.2%, P = 0.38) remained similar between early and COVID + 1 year ( P = 0.25). The majority selected increased access to care, better continuity of care, and enhanced patient appointment efficiency as benefits, whereas reimbursement, liability, disruption of in-person clinic flow, limitations of video examinations, and patient technology use were barriers. Many participants deemed many neuro-ophthalmic examination elements unsuitable when collected during a live video session, although participants believed some examination components could be evaluated adequately through a review of ancillary testing or outside records. CONCLUSIONS One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, neuro-ophthalmologists maintained telemedicine utilization at rates higher than prepandemic levels. Tele-neuro-ophthalmology remains a valuable tool in augmenting patient care.
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Bouthour W, Biousse V, Newman NJ. Diagnosis of Optic Disc Oedema: Fundus Features, Ocular Imaging Findings, and Artificial Intelligence. Neuroophthalmology 2023; 47:177-192. [PMID: 37434667 PMCID: PMC10332214 DOI: 10.1080/01658107.2023.2176522] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Optic disc swelling is a manifestation of a broad range of processes affecting the optic nerve head and/or the anterior segment of the optic nerve. Accurately diagnosing optic disc oedema, grading its severity, and recognising its cause, is crucial in order to treat patients in a timely manner and limit vision loss. Some ocular fundus features, in light of a patient's history and visual symptoms, may suggest a specific mechanism or aetiology of the visible disc oedema, but current criteria can at most enable an educated guess as to the most likely cause. In many cases only the clinical evolution and ancillary testing can inform the exact diagnosis. The development of ocular fundus imaging, including colour fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and multimodal imaging, has provided assistance in quantifying swelling, distinguishing true optic disc oedema from pseudo-optic disc oedema, and differentiating among the numerous causes of acute optic disc oedema. However, the diagnosis of disc oedema is often delayed or not made in busy emergency departments and outpatient neurology clinics. Indeed, most non-eye care providers are not able to accurately perform ocular fundus examination, increasing the risk of diagnostic errors in acute neurological settings. The implementation of non-mydriatic fundus photography and artificial intelligence technology in the diagnostic process addresses these important gaps in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walid Bouthour
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Valérie Biousse
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nancy J. Newman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW Neuro-ophthalmologists rapidly adopted telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize disruption to patient care. This article reviews recent research on tele-neuro-ophthalmology adoption, current limitations, and potential use beyond the pandemic. The review considers how digital transformation, including machine learning and augmented reality, may be applied to future iterations of tele-neuro-ophthalmology. RECENT FINDINGS Telehealth utilization has been sustained among neuro-ophthalmologists throughout the pandemic. Adoption of tele-neuro-ophthalmology may provide solutions to subspecialty workforce shortage, patient access, physician wellness, and trainee educational needs within the field of neuro-ophthalmology. Digital transformation technologies have the potential to augment tele-neuro-ophthalmology care delivery by providing automated workflow solutions, home-based visual testing and therapies, and trainee education via simulators. Tele-neuro-ophthalmology use has and will continue beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital transformation technologies, when applied to telehealth, will drive and revolutionize the next phase of tele-neuro-ophthalmology adoption and use in the years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin E Lai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Ophthalmology Service, Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Midwest Eye Institute, Carmel, IN, USA
| | - Melissa W Ko
- Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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