A study published Dec. 14 in the American Journal of Managed Care analyzed a broad-scale implementation by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of outpatient specialty care e-consults within a patient-centered medical home model. Results show that the percentage of e-consult patients with community-based outpatient clinic primary care grew to 45.6 percent at year three of implementation. Of those e-consult patients from community clinics, the average potential miles needed to travel was 72.1 miles per patient, suggesting that e-consults may decrease travel burden and direct travel costs for patients.
Read the study in the AJMC: Impact of a National Specialty E-Consultation Implementation Project on Access
