eConsult - Waterloo Wellington and South West deployment

What is an eConsult?

Electronic consult (eConsult) is a secure web-based tool that allows physician or nurse practitioner timely access to specialist advice for all patients and often eliminates the need for an in-person specialist visit.

As part of the Ontario eServices Program – led in partnership with the eConsult Centre of Excellence – the eHealth Centre of Excellence is supporting the deployment of eConsult in the Waterloo Wellington and South West regions. For other regions, please contact the eConsult Centre of Excellence.

Our eConsult team provides implementation support and in-person coaching for primary care providers and specialists who wish to use Ontario eConsult Service, hosted on the OTN Hub, which enables primary care providers to connect quickly and easily with specialists for expert advice.

Access to provincial BASE™ groups:

In addition to regional specialists, primary care providers also have access to provincial BASE™ speciality groups, such as the COVID-19 BASE™ managed eConsult specialty group and the COVID-19 Allergy/Immunology BASE™ Managed Specialty Group.

How does eConsult work?

Physicians and nurse practitioners send a secure message to a specialist or a specialty group
May request treatment options, ask for advice or query if a referral is needed
Receive advice quickly and securely… in less than 1 day on average!
Ability to have back and forth discussion or clarification

Already have access to eConsult?

Benefits of using eConsult:

Timely access to experience-based specialist knowledge

Improved confidence in the plan of care

Increased collaboration between primary care providers and specialists

Ability to send eConsults to regional specialists: learn how here!

Manage patient care at the family practice level, where patient trust is often the highest

Potential to reduce unnecessary referrals and wait times!

Contribute to a community of practice with physicians and nurse practitioners in their region

Improved communication with primary care providers

An effective way to continue providing education to primary care providers

Administrative tasks are lessened, such as the need to make follow-up phone calls

Improved confidence in primary care provider's care plan

Reduced anxiety related to delayed treatment

Potential to decrease travel required for in-person specialist visits

Improve access to specialist advice and care

Where can I find billing information?

Physicians may bill OHIP K738($16/consult) as per the rules in the Schedule of Benefits (OHIP billing guide)
Specialists may bill an hourly rate of $200/hr pro-rated based on the length of time to takes to complete an eConsult
Providers receiving a salary or paid through alternate funding may not receive additional compensation for using eConsult

About the Ontario eServices Program:

The Ontario eServices Program delivers digital services (eConsult and eReferral are the first initiatives in the scope of the program) that support clinical workflows and facilitate smoother transitions in care and an improved patient experience. The Ontario eServices Program is co-led by the Ontario eConsult Centre of Excellence and the eHealth Centre of Excellence and is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health.