E-consults between primary care and internal medicine: implementation, accessibility, benefits, and implications.

AIM: This work aims to evaluate whether electronic consultations (e-consults) are a clinically useful, safe tool for assessing patients between primary care and internal medicine. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of all e-consults ordered by the Primary Care Department to the Internal Medicine Department between September 2019 and December 2023. The results of initial consultations, emergency department visits and subsequent admissions, and survival were assessed and complaints and claims filed were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 11,434 e-consults were recorded (55.4% women) with a mean age of 62.1 (SD19.4) years and a wide range (15-102 years). The mean response time was 2.55 (SD 1.6) days. As a result of the e-consults, 5645 patients (49.4%) were given an in-person appointment. For the remaining 5789 (50.6%), a written response was provided. Among those given appointments, the time between the response and in-person appointment was less than five days (95% of cases). Compared to those not given appointments, in-person appointments were older (p < 0.0001), visited the emergency department more times (one month: p = 0.04; three months: p = 0.001), were admitted to the hospital more times (one month: p = 0.0001; three months: p = 0.0001), and had higher mortality at one year (12.7% vs. 9.8% p = 0.0001). In the Cox analysis, only in-person appointments (RR = 1.11; p = 0.04)) and age (RR = 1.09; p < 0.01) were independent factors of mortality. No complaints or claims of any kind were registered. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that e-consults are a clinically useful, safe tool for assessing patients referred from primary care to internal medicine departments.

Utilidad de la consulta electrónica entre los centros de atención primaria y el Servicio de Reumatología de un hospital terciario / Usefulness of an electronic consultation system between primary care health centres and the rheumatology department of a tertiary hospital

Introducción y objetivo: Las enfermedades reumáticas representan casi el 30% de las consultas atendidas en los centros de atención primaria españoles. El objetivo principal fue analizar la demanda de consultas reumatológicas desde atención primaria y su resolución mediante el sistema de consulta electrónica. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de las consultas electrónicas procedentes de los centros de atención primaria del área sanitaria al Servicio de Reumatología de un hospital terciario, entre los meses de julio de 2020 y mayo de 2021. Resultados: Se recogieron las últimas 500 consultas consecutivas. La media de edad de los pacientes fue 59 años; el 74% eran mujeres. Los principales motivos de consulta fueron la osteoporosis y el tratamiento de pacientes en seguimiento por el servicio por artritis reumatoide y espondiloartritis. El tiempo medio de respuesta fue de dos días; el 57% necesitaron ser citados en consulta externa. Discusión: La consulta electrónica permitió resolver, en una media de dos días, las consultas del 42,6% de los pacientes.(AU)

Background and objective: Rheumatic diseases account for almost 30% of consultations attended in Spanish primary care centres. The main objective was to analyse the demand for rheumatology consultations from Primary Care and their resolution using the electronic consultation system. Patients and methods: Retrospective descriptive study of electronic consultations from primary care centres in the health area to the Rheumatology service of a tertiary hospital, between July 2020 and May 2021. Results: The last 500 consecutive consultations were collected. Mean age of patients was 59.5 years; 74.2% were women. Main reasons for consultation were osteoporosis and treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis under follow-up by the department. Mean response time was 2 days. Fifty-seven per cent of patients required outpatient appointments. Discussion: Over 40% of queries were resolved thanks to the electronic consultation system in an average of 2 days, otherwise patients would have been referred to specialized care.(AU)

Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 sobre un programa de consulta electrónica universal (e-consulta) entre médicos de Atención Primaria y cardiólogos / Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic above a universal electronic consultation program (e-consultation) between general practitioners and cardiologists

Introducción y objetivos Los programas de telemedicina entre clínico y paciente se han desarrollado con fuerza durante la pandemia de enfermedad por COVID-19, pero no hay datos de experiencias entre clínicos. Nuestro objetivo es analizar el impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la actividad y resultados en salud de un programa de consulta electrónica universal (e-consulta) para todas las derivaciones de pacientes entre médicos de atención primaria y el Servicio de Cardiología de nuestra área. Métodos Analizamos mediante regresión logística a 25.121 pacientes con al menos una e-consulta entre 2018 y 2021 realizada con el Servicio de Cardiología de nuestra área sanitaria. También se realizó el análisis de regresión logística del impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 sobre la resolución de la e-consulta y tiempo de espera de la atención, hospitalizaciones y mortalidad, tomando como referencia las consultas realizadas durante 2018. Resultados Observamos que una menor demora en la atención y resolución de la e-consulta (sin necesidad de atención presencial) se asociaba a un mejor pronóstico. Los períodos de pandemia COVID-19 presentaron similares resultados a los del 2018. Conclusiones Los resultados de nuestro estudio muestran una significativa reducción de las derivaciones a través de e-consulta durante el primer año de la pandemia por COVID-19 con recuperación posterior de la demanda asistencial sin que los períodos de pandemia se asociasen con peores resultados en salud. La reducción del tiempo de demora de resolución de la e-consulta y el grupo sin necesidad de consulta presencial se asociaron a un mejor pronóstico (AU)

Blackground and objective Virtual healthcare models, usually between healthcare professionals and patients, have developed strongly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but there are not data of models between clinicians. Our objective is to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity and health outcomes of the universal e-consultation program for patient referrals between primary care physicians and the Cardiology Department in our area. Methods Patients with at least one e-consultation between 2018 and 2021 were selected. We analysed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on activity and waiting time for care, hospitalizations and mortality, taking as a reference the consultations carried out during 2018. Results We analysed 25,121 patients. Through logistic regression analysis, it was observed that a shorter delay in care and resolution of the e-consultation without the need for face-to-face care were associated with a better prognosis. The COVID-19 pandemic periods (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) were not associated with worse health outcomes compared to 2018. Conclusions The results of our study show a significant reduction in e-consult referrals during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic with a subsequent recovery in the demand for care without the pandemic periods being associated with worse outcomes. The reduction in the time elapsed for solving the e-consult and no need for in-person visit were associated with better outcomes (AU)

Usefulness of an electronic consultation system between primary care health centres and the rheumatology department of a tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Rheumatic diseases account for almost 30% of consultations attended in Spanish primary care centres. The main objective was to analyse the demand for rheumatology consultations from Primary Care and their resolution using the electronic consultation system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study of electronic consultations from primary care centres in the health area to the Rheumatology service of a tertiary hospital, between July 2020 and May 2021. RESULTS: The last 500 consecutive consultations were collected. Mean age of patients was 59.5 years; 74.2% were women. Main reasons for consultation were osteoporosis and treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis under follow-up by the department. Mean response time was 2 days. Fifty-seven per cent of patients required outpatient appointments. DISCUSSION: Over 40% of queries were resolved thanks to the electronic consultation system in an average of 2 days, otherwise patients would have been referred to specialized care.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon a universal electronic consultation program (e-consultation) between general practitioners and cardiologists.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Virtual healthcare models, usually between healthcare professionals and patients, have developed strongly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but there are no data corresponding to models between clinicians. An analysis was made of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon the activity and health outcomes of the universal e-consultation program for patient referrals between primary care physicians and the Cardiology Department in our healthcare area. METHODS: Patients with at least one e-consultation between 2018 and 2021 were selected. We analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon activity and waiting time for care, hospitalizations and mortality, taking as reference the consultations carried out during 2018. RESULTS: A total of 25,121 patients were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis showed a shorter delay in care and resolution of the e-consultation without the need for face-to-face care to be associated to a better prognosis. The COVID-19 pandemic periods (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) were not associated to poorer health outcomes compared to 2018. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show a significant reduction in e-consultation referrals during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a subsequent recovery in the demand for care, and without the pandemic periods being associated to poorer outcomes. The reduction in time elapsed for resolving the e-consultations and no need for face-to-face visits were associated to improved outcomes.

Programa de consulta electrónica universal (e-consulta) de un servicio de cardiología. Resultados a largo plazo / Universal electronic consultation (e-consultation) program of a cardiology service. Long-term results

Introducción y objetivos: Muchos sistemas sanitarios han iniciado programas de consulta electrónica, aunque poco se conoce de su impacto en acceso, seguridad y satisfacción. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el impacto clínico de la puesta en marcha de un modelo de atención ambulatoria que incluye una consulta electrónica (e-consulta) inicial comparándolo con un modelo presencial de acto único. Métodos: Se seleccionó a pacientes con al menos 1 consulta al servicio de cardiología entre 2010 y 2019. Mediante un modelo de regresión de series temporales interrumpidas, se analizó el impacto de la incorporación de la e-consulta en el modelo asistencial (iniciado en 2013), evaluando: tiempo de espera de la atención, asistencias a urgencias, ingresos hospitalarios y mortalidad. Resultados: Se analizó a 47.377 pacientes: el 61,9% de ellos atendidos incorporando la e-consulta y el 38,1% en el modelo de consulta presencial de acto único. La mediana [intervalo intercuartílico] de la demora a la atención en el modelo de e-consulta, 7 [5-13] días, fue menor que en el modelo presencial: 33 [14-81] días (p<0,001). El modelo de regresión para series temporales interrumpidas mostró que la incorporación de la e-consulta aporta una disminución muy importante en la demora de la atención, que se mantiene en torno a los 9 días, aunque con ligeras oscilaciones. Los pacientes valorados vía e-consulta tuvieron menos ingresos hospitalarios (el 0,9 frente al 1,2%; p=0,0017) y mortalidad (el 2,5 frente al 3,9%; p<0,001). Conclusiones: Un programa de atención ambulatoria que incluye una e-consulta ha mostrado importantes reducciones en los tiempos de espera y es un modelo seguro, con menores tasas de ingresos hospitalarios y mortalidad en el primer año (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Many health systems have initiated electronic consultation (e-consultation) programs, although little is known about their impact on accessibility, safety, and satisfaction. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical impact of the implementation of an outpatient care model that includes an initial e-consultation and to compare it with a one-time face-to-face consultation model. Methods: We selected patients who visited the cardiology service at least once between 2010 and 2019. Using an interrupted time series regression model, we analyzed the impact of incorporating e-consultation into the health care model (started in 2013), and evaluated waiting times, emergency services, hospital admissions, and mortality. Results: We analyzed 47 377 patients: 61.9% were attended in e-consultation and 38.1% in one-time face-to-face consultations. The waiting time for care was shorter in the e-consultation model (median [IQR]: 7 [5-13] days) than in the face-to-face model (median [IQR]: 33 [14-81] days), P<.001. The interrupted time series regression model showed that the introduction of e-consultation substantially decreased waiting times, which held steady at around 9 days, although with slight oscillations. Patients evaluated via e-consultation had fewer hospital admissions (0.9% vs 1.2%, P=.0017) and lower mortality (2.5% vs 3.9%, P<.001). Conclusions: An outpatient care program that includes an e-consultation reduced waiting times significantly and was safe, with a lower rate of hospital admissions and mortality in the first year (AU)

[E-consultation as a tool for the relationship between Primary Care and Endocrinology. Impact of COVID-19 epidemic in its use]. / La e-consulta como herramienta para la relación entre Atención Primaria y Endocrinología. Impacto de la epidemia por COVID-19 en su uso.

INTRODUCTION: Electronic consultation (eConsultation) can precede, complete, or replace visits to the specialist. OBJECTIVE: To describe the profile of eConsultations issued from Primary Care (PC) to the Endocrinology Unit since their implementation in our hospital, to assess the response time and to evaluate changes in trends in relation to the COVID19 pandemic. A secondary objective is to evaluate the degree of satisfaction of PC specialists with this tool. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational retrospective study of Endocrinology eConsultations conducted from June 2019 to October 2020 analysing 2periods: pre-COVID and post-COVID. The degree of satisfaction of the Family and Community Medicine specialists was assessed by means of a questionnaire. RESULTS: 391 eConsultations were answered (69 pre-COVID and 322 post-COVID). The response time was less than 24h in 85% of them. A total of 35.3% were resolved without the need for visits or additional tests. Thyroid pathology was the most consulted. The incidence was significantly higher in the post-COVID period. The proportion of high resolution was significantly higher in the pre-COVID period. There were no differences in the rest of the parameters analysed in both periods. Thirty-nine point 2percent of PC specialists answered the survey. The degree of satisfaction of PC specialists was high. A total of 92.7% considered that the tool met their expectations and 90.5% were satisfied or very satisfied with its use. CONCLUSION: The COVID epidemic has driven the use of eConsultation in Endocrinology, which makes it possible to precede, complete or replace visits to the specialist, with a high degree of user satisfaction.

Universal electronic consultation (e-consultation) program of a cardiology service. Long-term results.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Many health systems have initiated electronic consultation (e-consultation) programs, although little is known about their impact on accessibility, safety, and satisfaction. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical impact of the implementation of an outpatient care model that includes an initial e-consultation and to compare it with a one-time face-to-face consultation model. METHODS: We selected patients who visited the cardiology service at least once between 2010 and 2019. Using an interrupted time series regression model, we analyzed the impact of incorporating e-consultation into the health care model (started in 2013), and evaluated waiting times, emergency services, hospital admissions, and mortality. RESULTS: We analyzed 47 377 patients: 61.9% were attended in e-consultation and 38.1% in one-time face-to-face consultations. The waiting time for care was shorter in the e-consultation model (median [IQR]: 7 [5-13] days) than in the face-to-face model (median [IQR]: 33 [14-81] days), P<.001. The interrupted time series regression model showed that the introduction of e-consultation substantially decreased waiting times, which held steady at around 9 days, although with slight oscillations. Patients evaluated via e-consultation had fewer hospital admissions (0.9% vs 1.2%, P=.0017) and lower mortality (2.5% vs 3.9%, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: An outpatient care program that includes an e-consultation reduced waiting times significantly and was safe, with a lower rate of hospital admissions and mortality in the first year.

Use of e-mail for Parkinson's disease consultations: Are answers just a clic away? / El correo electrónico en la consulta de Parkinson: ¿soluciones a un clic?

INTRODUCTION: The clinical problems of patients with movement disorders (MD) are complex, and the duration and frequency of face-to-face consultations may be insufficient to meet their needs. We analysed the implementation of an e-mail-based query service for our MD unit's patients and their primary care physicians (PCPs). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive emails sent and received over a period of 4 months, one year after implementation of the e-mail inquiry system. All patients received the during consultations, and PCPs, during scheduled informative meetings. We recorded and later analysed the profile of the questioner, patients' demographic and clinical data, number of queries, reason for consultation, and actions taken. RESULTS: From 1 January 2015 to 30 April 2015, the service received 137 emails from 63 patients (43% male, mean age 71±10.5) diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (76%), atypical parkinsonism (10%), and others (14%); 116 responses were sent. Twenty (32%) emails were written by patients, 38 (60%) by their caregivers, and 5 (8%) by their PCPs. The reasons for consultation were clinical in 50 cases (80%): 16 (32%) described clinical deterioration, 14 (28%) onset of new symptoms, and 20 (40%) side effects or concerns about medications. In 13 cases (20%), the query was bureaucratic: 11 were related to appointments (85%) and 2 were requests for clinical reports (15%). In response, new appointments were scheduled in 9 cases (14%), while the rest of the questions were answered by email. Patients were satisfied overall and the additional care burden on specialists was not excessive. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing an e-mail-based consultation system is feasible in MD units. It facilitates both communication between neurologists and patients and continued care in the primary care setting.