scholarly journals eConsults and Learning Between Primary Care Providers and Specialists

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 567-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Liddy ◽  
Tala Abu-Hijleh ◽  
Justin Joschko ◽  
Douglas Archibald ◽  
Erin Keely
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Specialist Care ◽  
Educational Tools ◽  
Educational Value ◽  
Electronic Consultation ◽  
Poor Access

Background and Objectives: Patients in many countries face poor access to specialist care. Electronic consultation (eConsult) improves access by allowing primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists to communicate electronically. As more countries adopt eConsult services, there has been growing interest in leveraging them as educational tools. Our study aimed to assess PCPs’ perspectives on eConsult’s ability to improve collegiality between providers and serve as an educational tool. Methods: We conducted a qualitative content analysis of free-text comments left by PCPs using the Champlain BASE eConsult service based in Eastern Ontario, Canada. All responses provided between January 1, 2015 and January 31, 2017 that mentioned education or collegiality were included. Results: PCPs completed 16,712 closeout surveys during the study period, of which 3,601 (22%) included free-text comments. Of these, 223 (6%) included references to education or collegiality. Three prominent themes emerged from the data: building provider relationships, teaching incorporated into answer, and prompting further learning. Conclusions: PCPs described eConsult’s ability to foster stronger relationships with specialists, deliver responses that provided teaching in multiple areas of their practice, and support further learning that extended beyond the case at hand and into their overall practice. The Champlain BASE eConsult service has educational value for providers. Further study is underway to explore how questions and replies submitted through eConsult can be used to facilitate reflective learning and promote feedback to providers.

Electronic consultation system demonstrates educational benefit for primary care providers

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 465-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Kwok ◽  
J Nwando Olayiwola ◽  
Margae Knox ◽  
Elizabeth J Murphy ◽  
Delphine S Tuot
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Physician Assistants ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Referral System ◽  
Years Of Experience ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Educational Value ◽  
Electronic Consultation ◽  
Consultation And Referral

Background Electronic consultation systems allow primary care providers to receive timely speciality expertise via iterative electronic communication. The use of such systems is expanding across the USA with well-documented high levels of user satisfaction. We characterise the educational impact for primary care providers of a long-standing integrated electronic consultation and referral system. Methods Primary care providers’ perceptions of the educational value inherent to electronic consultation system communication and the impact on their ability to manage common speciality clinical conditions and questions were examined by electronic survey using five-point Likert scales. Differences in primary care providers’ perceptions were examined overall and by primary care providers’ speciality, provider type and years of experience. Results Among 221 primary care provider participants (35% response rate), 83.9% agreed or strongly agreed that the integrated electronic consultation and referral system provided educational value. There were no significant differences in educational value reported by provider type (attending physician, mid-level provider, or trainee physician), primary care providers’ speciality, or years of experience. Perceived benefit of the electronic consultation and referral system in clinical management appeared stronger for laboratory-based conditions (i.e. subclinical hypothyroidism) than more diffuse conditions (i.e. abdominal pain). Nurse practitioners/physician assistants and trainee physicians were more likely to report improved abilities to manage specific clinical conditions when using the electronic consultation and/or referral system than were attending physicians, as were primary care providers with ≤10 years experience, versus those with >20 years of experience. Conclusions Primary care providers report overwhelmingly positive perceptions of the educational value of an integrated electronic consultation and referral system. Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, trainee physicians and less-experienced primary care providers report the greatest clinical educational benefit, particularly for conditions involving lab-based diagnosis and management.

scholarly journals Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) management pathways: results of a Delphi survey to contextualise international recommendations for Indonesian primary care settings

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fitriana Murriya Ekawati ◽  
Sharon Licqurish ◽  
Jane Gunn ◽  
Shaun Brennecke ◽  
Phyllis Lau
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Delphi Survey ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy ◽  
Implementation Barriers ◽  
Primary Care Settings ◽  
Hypertensive Disorders

Abstract Background Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a significant contributor to the high maternal mortality rate in Indonesia. At the moment, limited guidelines are available to assist primary care providers in managing HDP cases. A previous review of 16 international HDP guidelines has identified opportunities for improving HDP management in Indonesian primary care, but it has not determined the suitability of the recommendations in practice. This study aims to achieve consensus among the experts regarding the recommendations suitability and to develop HDP pathways in Indonesian primary care. Methods Maternal health experts, including GPs, midwives, nurses, medical specialists and health policy researchers from Indonesia and overseas were recruited for the study. They participated in a consensus development process that applied a mix of quantitative and qualitative questions in three Delphi survey rounds. At the first and second-round survey, the participants were asked to rate their agreement on whether each of 125 statements about HDP and HDP management is appropriate for use in Indonesian primary care settings. The third-round survey presented the drafts of HDP pathways and sought participants’ agreement and further suggestions. The participants’ agreement scores were calculated with a statement needing a minimum of 70% agreement to be included in the HDP pathways. The participants’ responses and suggestions to the free text questions were analysed thematically. Results A total of 52 participants were included, with 48, 45 and 37 of them completing the first, second and third round of the survey respectively. Consensus was reached for 115 of the 125 statements on HDP definition, screening, management and long-term follow-up. Agreement scores for the statements ranged from 70.8–100.0%, and potential implementation barriers of the pathways were identified. Drafts of HDP management pathways were also agreed upon and received suggestions from the participants. Conclusions Most evidence-based management recommendations achieved consensus and were included in the developed HDP management pathways, which can potentially be implemented in Indonesian settings. Further investigations are needed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of the developed HDP pathways in primary care practice.

scholarly journals Electronic Consultation Services Worldwide: Environmental Scan (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Joschko ◽  
Erin Keely ◽  
Rachel Grant ◽  
Isabella Moroz ◽  
Matthew Graveline ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Patient Anxiety ◽  
Specialist Care ◽  
Environmental Scan ◽  
Gray Literature ◽  
Electronic Consultation

BACKGROUND Excessive wait times for specialist care pose a serious concern for many patients, leading to duplication of tests, patient anxiety, and poorer health outcomes. In response to this issue, many health care systems have begun implementing technological innovations designed to improve the referral-consultation process. Among these services is electronic consultation (eConsult), which connects primary care providers and specialists through a secure platform to facilitate discussion of patients’ care. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine different eConsult services available worldwide and compare the strategies, barriers, and successes of their implementation in different health care contexts. METHODS We conducted an environmental scan comprising 3 stages as follows: literature review; gray literature search; and targeted, semistructured key informant interviews. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE (literature review) and Google (gray literature search). Upon completing the search, we generated a list of potential interview candidates from among the stakeholders identified. Potential participants included researchers, physicians, and decision makers. The maximum variation sampling was used to ensure sufficient breadth of participant experience. In addition, we conducted semistructured interviews by telephone using an interview guide based on the RE-AIM framework. Analyses of transcripts were conducted using a thematic synthesis approach. RESULTS A total of 53 services emerged from the published and gray literature. Respondents from 10 services participated in telephonic interviews. The following 4 major themes emerged from the analysis: service structure; benefits of eConsult; implementation challenges; and implementation enablers. CONCLUSIONS eConsult services have emerged in a variety of countries and health system contexts worldwide. Despite differences in structure, platform, and delivery of their services, respondents described similar barriers and enablers to the implementation and growth and reported improved access and high levels of satisfaction.

scholarly journals How to decide adequately? Qualitative study of GPs’ view on decision-making in self-referred and physician-referred emergency department consultations in Berlin, Germany

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e026786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Oslislo ◽  
Christoph Heintze ◽  
Martina Schmiedhofer ◽  
Martin Möckel ◽  
Liane Schenk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Influencing Factor ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Ambulatory Setting ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Registration Number

ObjectivesPatients with acute symptoms present not only to general practitioners (GPs), but also frequently to emergency departments (EDs). Patients’ decision processes leading up to an ED self-referral are complex and supposed to result from a multitude of determinants. While they are key providers in primary care, little is known about GPs’ perception of such patients. This qualitative study explores the GPs’ view regarding motives and competences of patients self-referring to EDs, and also GPs’ rationale for or against physician-initiated ED referrals.DesignQualitative study with semi-structured, face-to-face interviews; qualitative content analysis.SettingGP practices in Berlin, Germany.Participants15 GPs (female/male: 9/6; mean age 53.6 years).ResultsThe interviewed GPs related a wide spectrum of factors potentially influencing their patients’ decision to visit an ED, and also their own decision-making in potential referrals. Considerations go beyond medical urgency. Statements concerning patients’ surmised rationale corresponded to GPs’ reasoning in a variety of important areas. For one thing, the timely availability of an extended spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic options may make ED services attractive to both. Access difficulties in the ambulatory setting were mentioned as additional triggers for an ED visit initiated by a patient or a GP. Key patient factors like severity of symptoms and anxiety also play a major role; a desire for reassurance may lead to both self-referred and physician-initiated ED visits. Patients’ health competence was prevailingly depicted as limited, with the internet as an important influencing factor. Counselling efforts by GP were described as crucial for improving health literacy.ConclusionsHealth education could hold promise when aiming to reduce non-urgent ED consultations. Primary care providers are in a key position here. Amelioration of organisational shortages in ambulatory care, for example, limited consultation hours, might also make an important impact, as these trigger both self-referrals and GP-initiated ED referrals.Trial registration numberDRKS00011930.

scholarly journals Evaluation of an electronic consultation service in psychiatry for primary care providers

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Archibald ◽  
Julia Stratton ◽  
Clare Liddy ◽  
Rachel E. Grant ◽  
Douglas Green ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Consultation Service ◽  
Electronic Consultation

Content, Utilization and Impact of a Hematology e-Consultation Service

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 42-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karima Khamisa ◽  
Adam Fogel ◽  
Clare Liddy ◽  
Erin Keely ◽  
Amir Afkham
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Response Time ◽  
Continuing Medical Education ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Specialist Care ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Course Of Action ◽  
Clinical Content

Abstract Background Limited access to specialist care remains a major barrier to health care in Canada. The Champlain BASE (Building Access to Specialists through eConsultation) eConsult service is a secure web-based tool that gives primary care providers (PCPs) expedited access to specialist advice for their patients in Ontario, Canada. Hematology is the third most commonly consulted specialty in the eConsult service, accounting for 8% of all cases. The purpose of this study is to perform an in-depth analysis to describe the types of questions, content, utilization, and impact of hematology eConsults submitted by PCPs. Additionally, the results will inform future continuing medical education activities for PCPs. Methods All Hematology eConsults completed between April 1, 2011 and January 31, 2015 were included. We analyzed and categorized each consultation by: (1) clinical content (up to two per case) using a modification of the International Classification for Primary Care (ICPC-2); and (2) type of questions asked by the PCP based on a validated taxonomy. Other data including PCP designation, time for specialist to complete the eConsult, specialist response time, perceived value of the eConsult by the PCP, and the need for a face-to-face referral following the eConsult was collected in real time via the eConsult service and a survey completed by the initiating PCP at the closure of each eConsult. Results There were a total of 436 Hematology eConsults submitted, 87% from physicians and 13% from Nurse Practitioners. Most cases were answered within 3 days. The most common types of questions being asked pertained to management of hematologic disorders (25%), interpretation of a laboratory test (22%) and appropriate further investigative tests (18%). Common clinical content categories were anemia (22%), neutropenia (13%), high ferritin (11%), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance or an abnormal protein electrophoresis (10%) and thrombocytopenia (10%). Two clinical content categories were included in 19% of cases. Self-reported response time by hematologists was under 10 minutes in >75% of cases. Over 66% of cases did not require a face-to-face visit with the specialist following an eConsult; in fact, in 46% of cases an unnecessary referral was avoided. In 4% of cases, a face-to-face consultation was initiated where one was not originally contemplated. PCPs gained new or additional advice for a course of action in 58% of eConsults, and were able to confirm their original course of action in 39% of cases. PCPs rated the value of the eConsult service as ≥4/5 for both themselves and patients in >90% of cases. Impact The hematology eConsult service has significantly increased access to specialist care in a timely manner compared to traditional face-to-face consultations. The service allowed a significant proportion of patients to avoid traditional consultations leading to the potential of cost savings and increased patient safety. Identifying the most common questions and content being asked via the eConsult service will allow for more informed continuing medical education programs for PCPs so that patients can be better served in the primary care setting. Disclosures Khamisa: Amgen: Speakers Bureau.

scholarly journals Exploring perception and usage of narrative medicine by physician specialty: a qualitative analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Fox ◽  
Joshua M. Hauser
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Narrative Medicine ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
General Internists

Abstract Background Narrative medicine is a well-recognized and respected approach to care. It is now found in medical school curricula and widely implemented in practice. However, there has been no analysis of the perception and usage of narrative medicine across different medical specialties and whether there may be unique recommendations for implementation based upon specialty. The aims of this study were to explore these gaps in research. Methods Fifteen senior physicians who specialize in internal medicine, pediatrics, or surgery (5 physicians from each specialty) were interviewed in a semi-structured format about the utilization, benefits, drawbacks (i.e., negative consequences), and roles pertaining to narrative medicine. Qualitative content analysis of each interview was then performed. Results Three themes emerged from our analysis: roles, practice, and outcomes. Through these themes we examined the importance, utilization, barriers, benefits, and drawbacks of narrative medicine. There was consensus that narrative medicine is an important tool in primary care. Primary care physicians (general internists and general pediatricians) also believed that narrative medicine is not as important for non-primary care providers. However, non-primary care providers (surgeons) generally believed narrative medicine is valuable in their practice as well. Within specialties, providers’ choice of language varied when trying to obtain patients’ narratives, but choice in when to practice narrative medicine did not differ greatly. Among specialties, there was more variability regarding when to practice narrative medicine and what barriers were present. Primary care physicians primarily described barriers to eliciting a patient’s narrative to involve trust and emotional readiness, while surgeons primarily described factors involving logistics and patient data as barriers to obtaining patients’ narratives. There was broad agreement among specialties regarding the benefits and drawbacks of narrative medicine. Conclusions This study sheds light on the shared and unique beliefs in different specialties about narrative medicine. It prompts important discussion around topics such as the stereotypes physicians may hold about their peers and concerns about time management. These data provide some possible ideas for crafting narrative medicine education specific to specialties as well as future directions of study.

scholarly journals Desirable Characteristics of Consulting Cardiologists for Sustained Referrals by Primary Care Physicians

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip Ribeiro ◽  
Swetal Patel ◽  
Krystal Carlos ◽  
Sumit Sehgal ◽  
Ramdas Pai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Team Work ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Specialist Care ◽  
Little Rock ◽  
Potential Factors

<p>Accountable care organization and high quality affordable patient care requires impeccable team work between primary and specialist care physicians. Limited data exists on evaluation of factors that lead to termination of referrals between primary care physicians and cardiologists.  Using an 11 point questionnaire of potential factors for cause of termination of referrals to cardiologists, 103 primary care providers were interviewed. Out of 103 primary care providers interviewed in Little Rock, Arkansas and Chicago, Illinois, 84 providers were practicing in the city limits and 19 in the rural areas. The most important factors that result in termination of referrals between primary care physicians and cardiologists include cardiologist's bedside manners as perceived by the patient, poor feedback to the primary care provider from the cardiologist, and the patients not getting their questions fully answered by the cardiologist during the visit.</p>

Electronic Consultation Between Primary Care Providers and Radiologists

2020 ◽  
Vol 215 (4) ◽  
pp. 929-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Walker ◽  
D. Blair Macdonald ◽  
Carole Dennie ◽  
Amir Afkham ◽  
Clare Liddy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Electronic Consultation

scholarly journals Evaluation of an electronic consultation service for transgender care

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jatinderpreet Singh ◽  
Allison Lou ◽  
Michael Green ◽  
Erin Keely ◽  
Mary Greenaway ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Response Time ◽  
Access To Care ◽  
Hormone Therapy ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Electronic Consultation ◽  
Clinical Questions ◽  
Insight Into

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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