Primary Care Providers' Perspectives on the Ontario eConsult Program.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Digital Health
• Primary Care Medicine

Background:

• Electronic consultation (eConsult) facilitates asynchronous virtual communication between primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists.
• The Ontario eConsult Program aims to provide timely and equitable access to specialist expertise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine primary care providers' perspectives and experiences with the Ontario eConsult Program.
• To identify areas for improvement in the eConsult service.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous survey was distributed to PCPs registered with the Ontario eConsult Program.
• The survey collected data on user experiences, remuneration, and suggestions for enhancement between June and August 2019.

Main Results:

• A total of 1,256 PCPs completed the survey (16% response rate).
• 78% of respondents had used eConsult, with 67% identified as active users.
• The majority reported positive user experiences (88% good or very good), with 74% agreeing it improved referral decision-making and 73% enhancing their ability to manage diverse diagnoses.

Conclusions:

• Most PCPs have a positive experience with the Ontario eConsult Program, benefiting from prompt specialist advice and improved patient care.
• Key areas for enhancement include streamlining the service and integrating it with electronic medical records.
• Remuneration for eConsult usage requires attention, as a significant portion of users felt inadequately compensated or were unaware of fee codes.