Patients Assess an eConsult Model’s Acceptability at 5 US Academic Medical Centers

摘要: PURPOSE Electronic consultation (eConsult), involving asynchronous primary care clinician-to-specialist consultation, is being adopted at a growing number of health systems. Most evaluations eConsult programs have assessed clinical and financial impacts clinician acceptability. Less attention has been focused on patients’ opinions. We set out to understand patient perspectives preferences for hypothetical use 5 US academic medical centers in the process adopting an model. METHODS invited adult patients participate focus groups. Participants were introduced model, considered its potential benefits drawbacks, judged acceptability copay, expressed their future involvement decision making communication. Thematic analysis was used data interpretation. RESULTS One group conducted each sites with total 52 participants. Focus groups responded positively idea eConsult, quicker access specialty convenience identified as key benefits. Approval particularly high among those trusted clinician. Preference communication varied enthusiasm about waned when copay introduced. Concerns included misuse exclusion patient’s illness narrative exchange. CONCLUSIONS Primary strong support by clinician, addition voicing several concerns. Patient outreach education efforts could help enhance model’s effectiveness