Electronic Consultation Services Worldwide: Environmental Scan.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Excessive wait times for specialist care pose a serious concern for many patients, leading to duplication of tests, patient anxiety, and poorer health outcomes. In response to this issue, many health care systems have begun implementing technological innovations designed to improve the referral-consultation process. Among these services is electronic consultation (eConsult), which connects primary care providers and specialists through a secure platform to facilitate discussion of patients' care.

Objective

This study aims to examine different eConsult services available worldwide and compare the strategies, barriers, and successes of their implementation in different health care contexts.

Methods

We conducted an environmental scan comprising 3 stages as fol

SUBMITTER: Joschko J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6320413 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature