Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Figure 1.
Example of a case submitted to a specialist via the Champlain Building Access to Specialists through eConsultation (BASE) eConsult service (details modified to ensure patient anonymity). PCP, principal care provider.
- Figure 2.
Number of eConsult cases completed per month and cumulatively.
- Figure 3.
The number of specialty groups available from the eConsult service by year.
- Figure 4.
The number of new principal care provider (PCPs) enrolled in the eConsult service by year.
Tables
- Table 1.
The Champlain Building Access to Specialists through eConsultation Service's Impact Viewed Through the Lens of the Quadruple Aim Framework
Aim Outcome Measure eConsult Impact Patient Experience Wait times Usage data Responds to previously articulated patient dissatisfaction with wait times22 Patient satisfaction Interviews Patients deem useful in 86% of visits, acceptable alternative to traditional referrals in 97%23 Response time Usage data Median response time of 1.2 days (interquartile range, 0.2 to 4.2) Referral avoidance Usage data 71% of cases resolved without need of a face-to-face specialist referral Provider Experience PCP satisfaction Closeout survey PCPs rank eConsult as high/very high value in 94% of cases25 Educational value Closeout survey 92% of cases ranked as high/very high educational value. Specialist satisfaction Surveys 94% of specialists report eConsult improves communication with PCPs26 Costs Total system costs Cost data Total system costs over 2014 to 2015 fiscal year were $207,68027 Per capita cost Cost data Weighted average of $47.35/case versus $133.60/case for traditional referrals27 Direct and indirect savings Estimate of resource utilization, patient costs, etc. Accounting for societal factors (eg, avoided referrals and patient expenses) yields additional savings of $11/case28 Population Health Health outcomes (eg, mortality, morbidity, and health status) Health administrative data, randomized controlled trials Unable to assess Provider adoption Usage data 1299 PCPs have enrolled with the service Population served Usage data 28,838 cases completed, average monthly case volume increased from 13 in 2011 to 969 in 2017 Provider utilization Usage data 61% of enrolled PCPs have used the service in the last 12 months Patient safety Usage data eConsult prompts a referral in 3.4% of cases, potentially improving patient safety31
In this issue
Using the Quadruple Aim Framework to Measure Impact of Heath Technology Implementation: A Case Study of eConsult
