TRIAGING REFERRALS TO ECONSULTS (TREC): PROOF OF CONCEPT

Abstract

Electronic consults (eConsults) are provider to provider exchanges that allow primary care providers (PCP) to have timely access to specialist advice through an online platform often eliminating the need for traditional appointments. Long wait times and high rate of referral rejection are major frustrations for PCPs and patients. The currently available eConsult platforms depend on the PCP submitting the question on a unique platform and not through the usual referral processes. To meet high demands for specialist advice, we developed a proof-of-concept for a workflow that enables specialists to convert a referral request to advice only (eConsult) or advice and appointment during the triage process.