Electronic consultations (e-consults) to improve access to specialty care: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We define electronic consultations ("e-consults") as asynchronous, consultative, provider-to-provider communications within a shared electronic health record (EHR) or web-based platform. E-consults are intended to improve access to specialty expertise for patients and providers without the need for a face-to-face visit. Our goal was to systematically review and summarize the literature describing the use and effects of e-consults.

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and CINAHL for studies related to e-consults published between 1990 through December 2014. Three reviewers identified empirical studies and system descriptions, including articles on systems that used a shared EHR or web-based platform, connected providers in the same health syste

SUBMITTER: Vimalananda VG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4561452 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature