ABSTRACT
Purpose
Electronic consultation (eConsult) is a freely-available secure online platform connecting
primary care providers (PCPs) to geneticists. Our purpose was to determine whether
eConsult is effective in improving genetics service delivery in primary care.
Methods
PCP questionnaires regarding eConsult’s utility, geneticists’ tracking form assessments
of eConsult type and appropriateness, and geneticists’ interviews on implementing
eConsult were carried out.
Results
In 2 regions of Ontario, Canada, from January 2019 to June 2020, there were 305 genetics
eConsults. For 169 (55%), PCPs indicated receiving good advice for a new course of
action; for 110 (36%), referral was now avoided; and for 261 (86%), eConsult was perceived
valuable for patient management. Of the 131 geneticist-completed tracking forms, cancer
questions were most common (68, 52%). For 63 (48%), geneticists disagreed/strongly
disagreed PCPs should know the answer to the referral question. From the interview
data, it was observed that geneticists described eConsult positively and suggested
how it might improve access and efficiencies if integrated into genetic service delivery.
Dealing with eConsults virtually could reduce waitlists, and suggesting appropriate
investigations for PCPs could improve efficiencies.
Conclusion
eConsult offers a potential solution for receiving timely genetics advice and avoiding
unnecessary patient referrals, however, greater effect on access and wait times will
need systematic integration into PCP and geneticist practice.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 10, 2022
Accepted:
July 1,
2022
Received in revised form:
June 30,
2022
Received:
March 3,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
