TITLE

Use of an E-Mail Curbside Consultation Service by Family Physicians

AUTHOR(S)

Bergus, George R.; Sinift, Suzanne D.; Randall, Christina S.; Rosenthal, David M.

PUB. DATE

November 1998

SOURCE

Journal of Family Practice;Nov1998, Vol. 47 Issue 5, p357

SOURCE TYPE

Academic Journal

DOC. TYPE

Article

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND. Informal (curbside) consultations are central to clinical medicine. Typically, these exchanges between health professionals occur face-to-face or by telephone, but both of these methods can be inefficient. We created an electronic mail (E-mail) service for curbside consultations between family physicians and other health care specialists at an academic medical center. METHODS. Family physicians had access to the E-mail Consult Service (ECS) from 20 computers at three office practice sites, one hospital, and their personal offices. Informal consults could be obtained from 26 different consultants at the University of Iowa using standard E-mail. Data on the content of the consults and the use of this service were collected and both family physicians and consultants were questioned about their perceptions of the service. RESULTS. In the 18 months that the service was available, the ECS handled 237 consults. The median response time for a consult by using the service was 16.1 hours. Consultations in the area of adult medicine were the most common, followed by consults in obstetrics and gynecology. Nearly 90% of the consults were about a specific patient, and the majority of the questions were about management issues. Consultants answered 92% of the questions asked by family physicians using the ECS. Family physicians reported that this service was helpful, and most consultants reported that they enjoyed E-mail curbside consults. CONCLUSIONS. E-mail was successfully used for curbside consults. Both the family physicians and consultants found that an E-mail consultation service could be integrated into their practices.

ACCESSION #

1311003

 

Related Articles

• Prescribing new drugs: qualitative study of influences on consultants and general practitioners. Jones, Miren I; Greenfield, Sheila M; Bradley, Colin P // BMJ: British Medical Journal (International Edition);8/18/2001, Vol. 323 Issue 7309, p378 

  Conclusions: The factors influencing the introduction of new drugs, particularly in primary care, are more multiple and complex than suggested by early theories of drug innovation. Early experience of using a new drug seems to strongly influence future use.

• 'My shock over GMG action on complaint' Cameron, Ian // Pulse;4/23/2005, Vol. 65 Issue 16, p7 

  The article reports that Jeff Featherstone has spoken of his shock and anger after receiving a GMC letter saying he was to be investigated over a "frivolous" complaint that he knew nothing about. Featherstone, a GP in Liverpool, England said the letter frightened the living daylights out of him....

• Implementing the New Model of Family Medicine. Bagley, Bruce // American Family Physician;3/1/2006, Vol. 73 Issue 5, p910 

  Discusses a variety of issues related to the New Model of family medicine, which offers physicians the opportunity to increase the efficiency and reliability of their practices. Relevance of modifying practice strategies to physician morale and patient care; Attitude of family physicians toward...

• Determining the weighting and relative importance of CanMEDS roles and competencies. Stutsk, Brenda J; Singer, Marilyn; Renauld, Robert // BMC Research Notes;2012, Vol. 5 Issue 1, p354 

  Background: The CanMEDS roles and competencies are being used as the framework to support the development of the Manitoba Practice Assessment Program (MPAP) designed to assess the competence of physicians practicing with a conditional license. Establishing the link between clinical practice and...

• Clinical Quiz.  // American Family Physician;4/15/2004, Vol. 69 Issue 8, p1857 

  Presents a clinical quiz based on articles published in the April 15, 2004 issue of the "American Family Physician."

• PulseViews Letters. Geraghty, Patrick; Pike, John; Welsh, Chris; Lewis, Ian; Kelly, Eric; Bradbury, Victor; Umnus, Lutz; Bhatia, Neil; Todd, Barbara; Bloch, Thomas // Pulse;3/18/2009, Vol. 69 Issue 9, p20 

  Several letters to the editor are presented about the plan of general practice leaders to overhaul the profession, development of a range of recommendations to support general practitioners in building their expertise in dealing with children, and the need for physicians to work with individual...

• The CSA: a few practical tips. Reed, Emma Lucy // InnovAiT;Oct2010, Vol. 3 Issue 10, p619 

  The article offers tips on how to be successful during the Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) for those in the general practice (GP). It states that proper time management will help a GP cover the key components of the assessment domains. It suggests that one can also meet with their colleagues...

• Merits of quick consults debated by both champions and doubters. Castaneda, Reynald // New Zealand Doctor;8/19/2015, p24 

  The article offers information on a session about the value of the five-minute general practitioner consult, held during the 2015 Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) Conference for General Practitioners held in Hamilton, New Zealand.

• What should GPs be doing about chaperones? van Hecke, Oliver; Jones, Kay // British Journal of General Practice;Nov2014, Vol. 64 Issue 628, p589 

  The article offers information on the role of medical chaperones in Great Britain. Topics include the views of general practitioners (GPs) about the effect of chaperons on the consultation, impact on the doctor-patient relationship, and the function of chaperons in providing comfort for patients...

Read the Article