Erin Keely1,2, Rob Williams3, Gilad Epstein3, Amir Afkham4, Clare Liddy5,6. 1. 1 Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada. 2. 2 Division of Endocrinology/Metabolism, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada. 3. 3 Ontario Telemedicine Network, Toronto, Canada. 4. 4 Enabling Technologies, Champlain Local Health Integration Network, Ottawa, Canada. 5. 5 C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Center, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada. 6. 6 Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Wait times to access specialist care remain a huge frustration for patients and providers. In Ontario, two electronic consultation (eConsult) services provide prompt, secure access to specialist advice: The Champlain Building Access to Specialists through eConsultation (BASE™) eConsult-managed service, and the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN). INTRODUCTION: To gain a broader understanding of specialists' perspectives providing eConsult services, we surveyed all specialists actively participating in either platform. METHODS: A 34-item web questionnaire focused in four key areas (experience with the service, ideas for provincial expansion, recommendations for enhancements to the service, and specialist demographics) was sent to all specialists who had completed at least one eConsult on either service. RESULTS: There was a 66% (114/172) response rate for BASE and a 47% (61/130) response rate for OTN. The most frequent motivations for participating in eConsult were innovative patient care (58% and 69%), opportunity to reduce wait times (45% and 54%), and opportunity to communicate directly with primary care providers (41% and 51%). Most specialists agreed that eConsult is feasible, results in improved communication between providers, and can be integrated into their clinical workflow without difficulty. Fifty-two percent of OTN specialists and 49% of BASE specialists agreed that they were appropriately compensated for answering eConsults. DISCUSSION: Specialists participate in eConsult services to improve communication with primary care, provide innovative care, and reduce wait times. CONCLUSIONS: As eConsult services expand across regions and provinces, the provider perspectives and experiences should be used to evaluate the benefits of eConsult and impact on provider satisfaction.
BACKGROUND: Wait times to access specialist care remain a huge frustration for patients and providers. In Ontario, two electronic consultation (eConsult) services provide prompt, secure access to specialist advice: The Champlain Building Access to Specialists through eConsultation (BASE™) eConsult-managed service, and the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN). INTRODUCTION: To gain a broader understanding of specialists' perspectives providing eConsult services, we surveyed all specialists actively participating in either platform. METHODS: A 34-item web questionnaire focused in four key areas (experience with the service, ideas for provincial expansion, recommendations for enhancements to the service, and specialist demographics) was sent to all specialists who had completed at least one eConsult on either service. RESULTS: There was a 66% (114/172) response rate for BASE and a 47% (61/130) response rate for OTN. The most frequent motivations for participating in eConsult were innovative patient care (58% and 69%), opportunity to reduce wait times (45% and 54%), and opportunity to communicate directly with primary care providers (41% and 51%). Most specialists agreed that eConsult is feasible, results in improved communication between providers, and can be integrated into their clinical workflow without difficulty. Fifty-two percent of OTN specialists and 49% of BASE specialists agreed that they were appropriately compensated for answering eConsults. DISCUSSION: Specialists participate in eConsult services to improve communication with primary care, provide innovative care, and reduce wait times. CONCLUSIONS: As eConsult services expand across regions and provinces, the provider perspectives and experiences should be used to evaluate the benefits of eConsult and impact on provider satisfaction.
Authors: Varsha G Vimalananda; Jay D Orlander; Melissa K Afable; B Graeme Fincke; Amanda K Solch; Seppo T Rinne; Eun Ji Kim; Sarah L Cutrona; Dylan D Thomas; Judith L Strymish; Steven R Simon Journal: J Am Med Inform Assoc Date: 2020-03-01 Impact factor: 4.497
Authors: Mohamed A Osman; Kara Schick-Makaroff; Stephanie Thompson; Liza Bialy; Robin Featherstone; Julia Kurzawa; Deenaz Zaidi; Ikechi Okpechi; Syed Habib; Soroush Shojai; Kailash Jindal; Branko Braam; Erin Keely; Clare Liddy; Braden Manns; Marcello Tonelli; Brenda Hemmelgarn; Scott Klarenbach; Aminu K Bello Journal: BMJ Glob Health Date: 2019-09-13
Authors: Luis Miguel Azogil-López; Valle Coronado-Vázquez; Juan José Pérez-Lázaro; Juan Gómez-Salgado; Esther María Medrano-Sánchez Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-16 Impact factor: 3.390