Electronic consultation (e-consultation) between primary care and the neurology department: One-year experience in a healthcare area in Andalusia, Spain

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the implementation of telemedicine programmes to facilitate healthcare. In November 2020 we initiated an e-consultation programme between primary care and the neurology department, with asynchronous response, through a platform integrated into the corporate computer system of the Andalusian Public Health System. We present the results of the first year of operation. Methods: We present a descriptive study of the e-consultations received in 2021 from a health area of approximately 300,000 inhabitants aged ≥ 14 years. The reasons for consultation were pre-established: "primary headache” (PH), "new-onset cognitive impairment” (CI), "complications of dementia” (DEM), and "epilepsy” (EPI). We defined inclusion criteria and the clinical information/tests that had to be provided. General practitioners could choose between e-consultation or face-to-face referral. Results: A total of 1,806 e-consultations were received (approximately 6/1,000 population/year). By reasons for consultation: CI 34.3%, PH 32%, DEM 14.4%, EPI 11.7%, unspecified 7.6%. Responses were sent after an average of 2.25 days and were classified as: "refer for in-person consultation” (47.12%), "resolved” (39.98%), "criteria not met” (12.57%), or "follow-up by e-consultation” (0.33%). As expected, a high proportion of face-to-face referrals were required for CI (73.46%);the main value of the system for these patients was to prioritise appointments and select the most appropriate form of care. For the rest of the reasons for consultation, the proportion of "resolved” e-consultations reached 52.61%. Conclusions: Asynchronous e-consultation between primary care and the neurology department is a useful tool in the indicated conditions, offering a rapid, "one-stop” response to a significant proportion of clinical or therapeutic uncertainties, as well as optimising face-to-face appointments. © 2023

Use of Asynchronous Interprofessional e-Consults in Cancer Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Current and Future Role.

The COVID-19 pandemic created a unique challenge to health care systems, requiring rapid implementation of telemedicine services to provide continued care to patients while preserving personal protective equipment and decreasing the risk of disease transmission. Herein, we describe how our institution, an urban cancer center, utilized provider-to-provider telemedicine consultations (interprofessional e-consults) to provide subspecialty access to care to vulnerable patients in the epicenter of a global pandemic.

Electronic consultation (e-consultation) between primary care and the neurology department: One-year experience in a healthcare district in Andalusia, Spain

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the implementation of telemedicine programmes to facilitate healthcare. In November 2020 we initiated an e-consultation programme between primary care and the neurology department, with asynchronous response, through a platform integrated into the corporate computer system of the Andalusian Public Health System. We present the results of the first year of operation. Methods We present a descriptive study of the e-consultations received in 2021 from a health area of approximately 300,000 inhabitants aged ≥14 years. The reasons for consultation were pre-established: "primary headache” (PH), "new-onset cognitive impairment” (CI), "complications of dementia” (DEM), and "epilepsy” (EPI). We defined inclusion criteria and the clinical information/tests that had to be provided. General practitioners could choose between e-consultation or face-to-face referral. Results A total of 1806 e-consultations were received (approximately 6/1000 population/year). By reasons for consultation: CI 34.3%, PH 32%, DEM 14.4%, EPI 11.7%, unspecified 7.6%. Responses were sent after an average of 2.25 days and were classified as: "refer for in-person consultation” (47.12%), "resolved” (39.98%), "criteria not met” (12.57%), or "follow-up by e-consultation” (0.33%). As expected, a high proportion of face-to-face referrals were required for CI (73.46%);the main value of the system for these patients was to prioritise appointments and select the most appropriate form of care. For the rest of the reasons for consultation, the proportion of "resolved” e-consultations reached 52.61%. Conclusions Asynchronous e-consultation between primary care and the neurology department is a useful tool in the indicated conditions, offering a rapid, "one-stop” response to a significant proportion of clinical or therapeutic uncertainties, as well as optimising face-to-face appointments. Resumen Introducción La pandemia por Covid-19 ha impulsado la implantación de programas de telemedicina para facilitar la asistencia sanitaria. En noviembre de 2020 iniciamos un programa de e-interconsulta entre Atención Primaria (AP)-Neurología, de respuesta asíncrona, a través de una plataforma integrada en la estación clínica corporativa del Sistema Sanitario Público de Andalucía. Presentamos los resultados de su primer año de funcionamiento. Métodos Estudio descriptivo de las e-interconsultas recibidas durante 2021 desde un área sanitaria de aproximadamente 300.000 habitantes ≥14 años. Se establecieron como motivos de consulta: "Cefalea primaria” (CEF), "Deterioro cognitivo de novo” (DC), "Complicaciones de la demencia” (DEM) y "Epilepsia” (EPI), definiéndose unos criterios preestablecidos y la información clínica/pruebas que se debían aportar. Los médicos/as de familia podían elegir entre e-interconsultar o derivar directamente para cita presencial. Resultados Se recibieron 1.806 e-interconsultas (≈6/1.000 hab./año). Por motivos de consulta: DC 34′3%, CEF 32%, DEM 14′4%, EPI 11′7%, no especificado 7′6%. Las respuestas se demoraron una media de 2′25 días y se clasificaron en: "precisa cita presencial” (47′12%), "alta” (39´98%), "no cumple criterios” (12′57%) o "seguimiento por e-interconsulta” (0′33%). Como era previsible, para el DC una alta proporción precisó cita presencial (73′46%);su mayor utilidad fue priorizar las citas y modalidad de asistencia. Para el resto de motivos, la proporción de "alta” alcanzó el 52′61%. Conclusiones La e-interconsulta asíncrona entre AP-Neurología es una herramienta útil en las condiciones indicadas, permitiendo resolver en un "acto único” y con escasa demora una significativa proporción de dudas clínicas o terapéuticas, así como optimizar las citas presenciales.

Factors Associated With the Utilization of Outpatient Virtual Clinics: Retrospective Observational Study Using Multilevel Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telemedicine and virtual consultations worldwide, complex factors that may affect the use of virtual clinics are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify factors associated with the utilization of virtual clinics in the experience of virtual clinic service implementation in Taiwan. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a total of 187,742 outpatient visits (176,815, 94.2%, in-person visits and 10,927, 5.8%, virtual visits) completed at a large general hospital in Taipei City from May 19 to July 31, 2021, after rapid implementation of virtual outpatient clinic visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data of patients' demographic characteristics, disease type, physicians' features, and specialties/departments were collected, and physicians' opinions regarding virtual clinics were surveyed and evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale. Multilevel analysis was conducted to determine the factors associated with the utilization of virtual clinics. RESULTS: Patient-/visit-, physician-, and department-level factors accounted for 67.5%, 11.1%, and 21.4% of the total variance in the utilization of virtual clinics, respectively. Female sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.27, 95% CI 1.22-1.33, P<.001); residing at a greater distance away from the hospital (OR 2.36, 95% CI 2.15-2.58 if distance>50 km, P<.001; OR 3.95, 95% CI 3.11-5.02 if extensive travel required, P<.001); reimbursement by the National Health Insurance (NHI; OR 7.29, 95% CI 5.71-9.30, P<.001); seeking care for a major chronic disease (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.24-1.42, P<.001); the physician's positive attitude toward virtual clinics (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.16-1.93, P=.002); and visits within certain departments, including the heart center, psychiatry, and internal medicine (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.46-4.46, P=.004), were positively associated with the utilization of virtual clinics. The patient's age, the physician's age, and the physician's sex were not associated with the utilization of virtual clinics in our study. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that in addition to previously demonstrated patient-level factors that may influence telemedicine use, including the patient's sex and distance from the hospital, factors at the visit level (insurance type, disease type), physician level (physician's attitude toward virtual clinics), and department level also contribute to the utilization of virtual clinics. Although there was a more than 300-fold increase in the number of virtual visits during the pandemic compared with the prepandemic period, the majority (176,815/187,742, 94.2%) of the outpatient visits were still in-person visits during the study period. Therefore, it is of great importance to understand the factors impacting the utilization of virtual clinics to accelerate the implementation of telemedicine. The findings of our study may help direct policymaking for expanding the use of virtual clinics, especially in countries struggling with the development and promotion of telemedicine virtual clinic services.

Evaluation of the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Electronic Consultation Use in Primary Care.

Background: Little is known about electronic consultation (e-consult) utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic when health systems rapidly implemented and scaled telehealth alternatives to in-person care. It is also unknown if e-consult utilization during the pandemic replaced or merely deferred the need for a specialty appointment. We evaluated if primary care providers' (PCPs) e-consult utilization and specialists' recommendations for specialty appointments changed after the transition to telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cohort study used an interrupted time series analysis of e-consult utilization in a large, urban academic health care system between December 1, 2019, and June 27, 2020; the post-telemedicine time period began March 15, 2020. The primary outcome measure was the odds of an e-consult ordered during a PCP appointment; the secondary outcome measure was the odds of a specialist recommending a specialty appointment in an e-consult. Results: During 193,263 PCP appointments, 1,318 e-consults were placed to internal medicine subspecialties. Compared to the pre-telemedicine time period, the odds of a PCP ordering an e-consult increased (OR 1.04, 95% CI [1.02-1.07]) and the odds of specialists recommending specialty appointments increased (OR 1.11, 95% CI [1.06-1.15]). Conclusions: E-consult use increased following the transition to telemedicine in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that PCPs consider the e-consult a valuable tool for patient care when there is limited availability of specialty appointments. However, recommendations for specialty appointments following an e-consult also increased, suggesting that the e-consult may not replace the need for a specialty appointment.

Remote Musculoskeletal Assessment Framework: A Guide for Primary Care.

Introduction Remote consulting has exploded into primary care following the initial COVID-19 surge as a measure to reduce potential cross-infection (staff-patient or patient-patient). Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions comprise up to 21% of the annual primary care caseload in England. Established techniques for MSK examination, however, rely on face-to-face attendance. Evidence-based guidance for remote MSK assessment is required to ensure the quality of care is maintained with the move from face-to-face to virtual consultations. Method A literature review of published evidence and current guidelines was conducted. The most appropriate remote consultation techniques and MSK examinations were identified and where there was no evidence, modified examination tests were developed from established face-to-face examination techniques. A concise, accessible framework for remote MSK assessment in primary care was then created and tested on a non-medically trained volunteer. Results Over 2232 papers and articles were identified by search headings, reducing to 28 sources that had relevant content. At the time of searching, there was no published evidence relating to MSK remote consultation in a primary care setting. However, evidence was found in the physiotherapy and rehabilitation literature for the efficacy and practicality of MSK teleconsultation. MSK remote examination framework From this literature and with the addition of modified established examinations, an MSK assessment framework was constructed. This framework provides pre-consultation guidance and step-by-step remote examination instructions. Patient and clinician resources (including a patient information leaflet and photographic examples of examinations) were created as supplementary material. Conclusion Due to the frameshift away from face-to-face consultation, primary care clinicians have found themselves lacking an evidence base or practical guidance to support remote MSK assessment. This paper is a systematic literature review of MSK telemedicine from which practical advice and evidence-based MSK tests have been developed. Where there is no evidence, modified traditional tests are suggested to allow a complete framework for remote MSK examination - using a system approach of 'look, point, move' followed by modified special tests, for use in a primary care setting as a 'ready-to-use' practical guide to remote MSK assessment, presented in a downloadable format. What did this add? With 21% of primary care consultations relating to MSK conditions and limited means of performing face-to-face MSK examination due to COVID-19, there needs to be a recognised framework for assessing the MSK system remotely. To the best of our knowledge, this evidence does not exist for primary care remote MSK examination. This paper demonstrates evidence-based practical advice (from non-primary care settings) and modified MSK examinations to be used in a primary care MSK remote consultation.