Improving Access to Specialist Care for an Aging Population

Objective: The objective of the study is to examine the Champlain. BASE(TM) (Building Access to Specialists through eConsultation) eConsult service’s impact on access to care for older persons. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of all eConsult cases submitted between April 15, 2011, and July 31, 2015, in which the patient was above the age of 65 years. Study data consisted of utilization data collected automatically by the service and responses to surveys completed by primary care providers at the conclusion of all eConsult cases. Results: A total of 1,796 cases were submitted for older persons between April 15, 2011, and July 31, 2015, accounting for 21.3% of all cases submitted during the study period. Specialists responded to cases in a median of 0.8 days. In 94% of cases, providers rated eConsult as having great or excellent value for themselves and their patients. Sixty-eight percent of eConsults did not require a face-to-face visit; only 28% of all cases resulted in a referral. Discussion: As they suffer from higher than average rates of comorbid disease and mobility issues, older persons stand to benefit from shorter wait times and better access to care, which the eConsult service can provide.