Improving access to specialist care in correctional facilities through Ontario eConsult.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To evaluate the accessibility of multispecialty advice for primary care providers (PCPs) within correctional facilities, catering to the healthcare needs of individuals in federal custody in Ontario, Canada, through the utilization of electronic consultation (eConsult).

Design

Retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive analysis.

Setting

eConsults submitted by PCPs within federal correctional facilities through the Ontario eConsult Service between April 1st, 2019, and March 31st, 2023.

Participants

906 completed eConsults were submitted by 21 PCPs in correctional facilities.

Results

The top three specialties sent to were cardiology (46%, N = 417), dermatology (14%, N = 128), and endocrinology and metabolism (8%, N = 68). The median specialist

SUBMITTER: Goulet D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11614223 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature