Improving Access to Rheumatologists: Use and Benefits of an Electronic Consultation Service

Article Figures & Data

Table 1.

Outcome of eConsults based on the PCP close-out survey.

Variables	Percent of Consults
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the outcome of this eConsult for your patient?
I was able to confirm a course of action that I originally had in mind	43
I got good advice for a new or additional course of action	54
I did not find the response very useful	2
None of the above	1
Question 2: As a result of the eConsult, would you say that:
Referral originally contemplated but now avoided at this stage	38
Referral was originally contemplated and is still needed; this eConsult likely leads to a more effective visit	34
Referral was not originally contemplated and is still not needed; this eConsult provided useful feedback/instruction	21
Referral was not originally contemplated, but eConsult process resulted in a referral being initiated	3
There was no particular benefit to eConsult in this case	2
Other	2

Table 2.

eConsults categorized by diagnosis or symptom, then subcategorized by referral outcome. Values are n (%).

Diagnosis or Symptom	Total of All eConsults	Referral Contemplated, but Avoided	Referral Contemplated and Still Required	Referral Not Contemplated and Still Avoided	Referral Not Originally Contemplated but Now Initiated
Osteoporosis	49 (22)	20 (41)	6 (12)	21 (43)	1 (2)
Pain, multiple joints	24 (11)	11 (46)	10 (42)	1 (4)	0
Inflammatory polyarthritis	22 (10)	5 (23)	12 (55)	2 (9)	1 (4.5)
OA	15 (7)	10 (67)	1 (7)	4 (27)	0
RA	10 (4.5)	2 (20)	5 (50)	1 (10)	1 (10)
Abnormal serological marker, no joint symptoms	10 (4.5)	3 (30)	1 (10)	5 (50)	0
Crystal arthropathy, gout	9 (4)	5 (56)	2 (22)	2 (22)	0
PMR	8 (3.5)	3 (38)	5 (62)	0	0
Inflammatory monoarthritis	7 (3)	2 (29)	5 (71)	0	0
Fibromyalgia	7 (3)	3 (43)	1 (14)	2 (29)	1 (14)
Other	64 (28)

Table 3.

Classification of clinical questions of submitted eConsults.

Clinical Question	Percent of Consults
Diagnosis
Interpretation of a laboratory test	9.8
Interpretation of an image report	2.2
Interpretation of a clinical finding	4.4
Other	3.1
What test to choose	6.2
Drug treatment
Other	1.8
Drug of choice	12.4
Adverse effects of drugs	3.6
How to prescribe a particular drug	3.1
Indications/goals of treating a particular condition	11.1
Interactions between drugs	1.8
Management
Other providers available	0.4
General management question	5.3
Should I refer	8.4
More than 1 question (unclassifiable)	17.3
No specific question	6.7
Procedure
Indications	1.3
Other	0.9