Innovating & Transforming eHealth Solutions

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July 2022

In this issue:

Are you a new Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner in Ontario?
eConsult sample exchange between PCP and Specialist
Importance of Specialists setting their directory profile
eConsult user support materials
Ontario eReferral program
eConsult Primary Care Provider Survey
Accredited eConsult Webinar Series
Book an eConsult Training Session

Preparing for Increased Wait Times for Patients

Sometimes referring a patient to see a Specialist is unavoidable. As we go through the summer months many patients will be contacting their primary care provider to address their health concerns, many of whom will need to see a Specialist.

You can send any eConsult to a Specialist to seek advice on:

If a referral is required
What tests to order in preparation for your patient’s Specialist visit
How to manage your patient's care while they wait to see a Specialist
Confirm a proposed treatment plan
Get recommendations for medications

Benefits of eConsult for Newly Graduated Family Physicians and Nurse Practitioners:

Access to a large network of Specialists and community services for patients
Opportunities to learn both from Specialists and responses
Digital tools which enhance productivity and increase efficiency
Streamline process to provide your patients with a better overall experience
Opportunities to incorporate best practices into your clinical workflows

eConsult sample exchange between PCP and Specialist

An example of an eConsult case:

A 90 year old resident of a nursing home is concerned about a new dark spot on her lip that is increasing in size. Her PCP examines her and considers a referral to dermatology. Current wait time for dermatology is many weeks. Instead the PCP initiates an eConsult to dermatology.

Day 1: the PCP logs onto his eConsult home page, Attaches photographs of the lesion, and types, “90 year old with a new lip lesion x6 months and increasing in size. Approximately 3 to 4 millimeters, smooth, nontender. Your thoughts on differential and urgency of biopsy are appreciated”.

Day 2: the Specialist responds. “The most likely diagnosis for this blue dash black papule on the left upper lip is venous lake. I do not have the benefit of palpating the lesion. Venous lake is soft, cystic, and has no induration… (Specialist continues with detailed teaching on examination of lesions and characteristics)’.

Day 3: PCP logs back into eConsult service and asks an additional question. “after re-examination the lesion is quite soft. The patient would like it remove for cosmetic reasons. Would you recommend referral to dermatology or plastic surgery given location?”

Day 4: Specialist responds, “venous lakes are best treated by laser therapy. I suggest doctor X at XX clinic as she has the appropriate laser for this. Of course, there is a fee since not covered by public funds.

Day 5: PCP accepts recommendation, completes closeout survey about their experience, and the eConsult is closed.

Importance of Specialists setting their directory profile

e-Consult user support materials

How to Submit an eConsult:

Request a Consult

How to Provide/Return an eConsult:

Providing or Returning a Consult

How to Set eConsult Service Options:

Setting eConsult Service Options such as vacation and settling limits on number of eConsult/month for Specialists

Guidelines:

Best Practice Guidelines for Primary Care Providers

Best Practice Guidelines for Specialists

Additional eConsult Resources:

Ontario eConsult Program Help

eConsult CoE

eConsult Use Cases

Ontario eServices Program: eReferral

The Ontario eServices program delivers digital services that support clinical workflows and facilitate smoother transitions in care and an improved patient experience. eConsult and eReferral are the first initiatives in the scope of the Ontario eServices program.

eReferral is a secure and seamless transfer of patient information from one point of care system into another, via an electronic platform for the purpose of engaging another provider in the care of a patient.

The program is funded to provide local change management resources to support implementation, training, adoption, and sustained use
The solution-generated data enables comprehensive analytics to support local and system level decision making
Referral status and appointment details are updated directly in providers EMRs (Telus PS Suite EMR, Accuro EMR and Oscar EMR) or the Ocean Portal (non-EMR users)
Patients received automatic email notifications on their referral status and appointment information
This eReferral initiative has been funded since 2017 as part of the System Coordinated Access Program (now part of the Ontario eServices Program)

Looking for more information? Contact us at DigitalHealth@transformsso.ca

eConsult Primary Care Provider Survey

Accredited eConsult Webinar Series

Join us for 8 half-hour sessions about the benefits of eConsult in your practices. Receive up to 4 credits from the College of Family Physicians and the Royal College!

Watch Session 1 Recording

Session 1: Pediatrics and eConsults with Dr. Richard van Wylick

Friday, January 14, 2022 8:30 - 9:00 a.m

Dr. Richard van Wylick is an Associate Professor in General Pediatrics and Associate Dean, Professional Development in Queen's Health Sciences. His research interests are in medical education and clinical studies in pediatrics.

Watch Session 2 Recording

Session 2: Endocrinology and eConsults with Dr. Robyn Houlden

Friday, February 4, 2022 8:30 - 9:00 a.m

Dr. Robyn Houlden is the Division Chair of Endocrinology at Queen's and is a consultant in adult endocrinology at Kingston General and Hotel Dieu Hospitals. She has served on several committees related to diabetes research and reform.

Watch Session 3 Recording

Session 3: Cardiology and eConsults with Dr. Cathy McLellan

Friday, February 25, 2022 8:30 - 9:00 a.m

Dr. Cathy McLellan is the Division Chair of Cardiology at Queen's and is an interventional cardiologist and clinical lead, percutaneous coronary interventions, both at Kingston General Hospital.

Watch Session 4 Recording

Session 4: Gastroenterology and eConsults with Dr. Lawrence Hookey

Friday, March 25, 2022 8:30 - 9:00 a.m

Dr. Lawrence Hookey is the Division Chair of Gastroenterology at Queen's and Medical Director of the Endoscopy Units at Kingston General and Hotel Dieu Hospitals. His practice includes general GI with a focus on therapeutic endoscopy and pancreatic and biliary disease.

Watch Session 5 Recording

Session 5: Hematology and eConsults with Dr. David Lee

Friday, April 8, 2022 8:30 - 9:00 a.m

Dr. David Lee is an Associate Professor in Hematology at Queen's and he is the Chair of the Department of Medicine Morbidity and Mortality Rounds and Director of the Anticoagulation Management Service. His practice includes benign and malignant conditions across ambulatory and inpatient settings.

Watch Session 6 Recording

Session 6: Urology and eConsults with Dr. Michael Leveridge

Friday, April 29, 2022 8:30 - 9:00 a.m

Dr. Michael Leveridge is an Assistant Professosr in the Department of Urology and is the Residency Program Director for the Urology training program. His clinical focus is urologic oncology and research focus is population-level research in bladder cancer and testicular cancer outcomes.

Watch Session 7 Recording

Session 7: Neurology and eConsults with Dr. Albert Jin

Friday, May 27, 2022 8:30 - 9:00 a.m

Dr. Albert Jin is an Associate Professor in Neurology at Queen's and a Specialist in cerebrovascular disease. He is the Medical Director for the Regional Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario.

Watch Session 8 Recording

Session 8: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and eConsults with Dr. Sarosh Khalid-Khan

Friday, June 10, 2022 8:30 - 9:00 a.m

Dr. Sarosh Khalid-Khan is a staff psychiatrist in the Division of Child and Youth Psychiatry at Queen's University. She has been at Queen's University since 2008 and has been in several clinical and administrative roles. She specializes in management of complex psychiatric presentations in children and youth, psychopharmacology, and family therapy.

Why Set your eConsult Priority Regions?

Setting your priority region to Erie St Clair gives access to local Specialists within the Erie St Clair regional based managed specialty groups automatically
Without setting priority regions, cases can only be sent to provincial groups

Book a Team Training Session

Are you part of or run a family practice, community health centre or hospital unit? Reach out to us today to book a group training session for your fellow staff.

We can cover: