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Pediatric dermatology eConsults: Reduced wait times and dermatology office visits
Author(s) -
Seiger Kira,
Hawryluk Elena B.,
Kroshinsky Daniela,
Kvedar Joseph C.,
Das Shinjita
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pediatric dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.542
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1525-1470
pISSN - 0736-8046
DOI - 10.1111/pde.14187
Subject(s) - medicine , teledermatology , dermatology , retrospective cohort study , atopic dermatitis , attendance , triage , pediatrics , telemedicine , emergency medicine , surgery , health care , economics , economic growth
Background/Objectives Store‐and‐forward teledermatology provides pediatricians with specialist guidance in managing skin disease. This study evaluates wait times and face‐to‐face (FTF) dermatology visit avoidance associated with a pediatric dermatology eConsult program at an urban academic medical center. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, electronic medical records were reviewed for patients under age 18 for whom a dermatology eConsult was completed between November 1, 2014, and December 31, 2017. Wait times for eConsult completion and initial FTF dermatology appointments were calculated and compared to average wait times for new patient dermatology office appointments from 2016 to 2017. Recommendations for FTF dermatology visits were assessed, along with FTF visit attendance and potential cost savings. Results One hundred eighty pediatric patients with 188 unrelated skin conditions (“cases”) were referred to the program. Of 188 cases, FTF dermatology visits were recommended for 60 (31.9%). Actual FTF dermatology visit avoidance was 53.7% of total cases (n = 101 for whom FTF visit was not recommended and no dermatology visit occurred within 90 days after eConsult submission). The program generated potential savings of $24 059 ($9840 out‐of‐pocket) in 2016 dollars. Average turnaround for eConsult completion was 1.8 calendar days (median: 1 calendar day, target: 2 business days). Average wait time to initial FTF dermatology evaluation was 37.3 calendar days (versus 54.1 days for pediatric patients referred directly to dermatology clinic between 2016 and 2017). Conclusion Pediatric dermatology eConsults reduce wait times for specialist care, triage cases for in‐office evaluation, reduce need for FTF dermatology visits, and offer potential cost savings for payers and patients.