Efecto de la consulta virtual (eConsulta) en la frecuentación de visitas en atención primaria

OBJECTIVE: A «before and after» type observational study was carried out to assess the impact of the virtual consultation (eConsulta) on the frequency with which the patient visits their primary care center once they have had their first virtual consultation. SETTING: Assigned population of the primary care center of Masnou-Alella and Ocata-Teià, Catalan Health Institute. PARTICIPANTS: A random sampling was performed and 329 patients who engaged in eConsulta were compared with 329 statistically similar patients in age, sex and medical complexity who did not engage in eConsulta. PRINCIPAL MEDIATIONS: Visits with primary care and nursing in their team are measured, both face-to-face, telephone and eConsulta, over the study period. RESULTS: Patients who performed virtual consultations showed a previous frequent attendance in primary care higher than those who did not perform eConsulta (4.44 medical visits year/versus 3.11). Following the use of the eConsulta, after a year of follow-up, frequency was reduced to levels of the control group (3.16 medical visits/year versus 3.00). After the first virtual visit, patients reduced face-to-face visits by 28.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The eConsulta could be an effective tool to respond to the needs of patients who do not require a face-to-face visit, especially in the most frequent patients.