Improving Access to Rheumatology Care: Evaluation of a Rheumatology Electronic Consultation Program
Authors' conclusion
Overall, the eConsult program represents a promising strategy to enhance specialty care delivery, particularly for underserved and distant populations
Study context
- Population
- Rheumatology referrals within the University of Colorado Hospital network, April 2018 to June 2022
- Participants
- 670 vs 10,433
- Comparison
- Rheumatology electronic consultation (eConsults) vs traditional referrals
- eConsultsn = 670
- Traditional referralsn = 10,433reference
- Outcome
- Internal eConsults completed electronically without conversion to in-person consultation
Methodological detailselectronic health record and Medicaid claims data, provider interviews
- Electronic health record and Medicaid claims data
- Provider interviews
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
eConsults
75%
445
Further findings
180-day completion rate: eConsults converted to face-to-face referrals vs traditional referrals · converted eConsults only
P < 0.001
Pharmacotherapy initiation for referrals for suspected RA
P = 0.082
- Electronically completed internal eConsults completed within three days
- 73% · 325
- eConsults from primary care providers internal to the network
- 89% · 596 of 670
- Electronically completed internal eConsults completed within three days: of 445
- eConsults from primary care providers internal to the network: of 670
Pharmacotherapy initiation for referrals for suspected RA
- Comparable rates
Provider interviews
- Successes: improved efficiency and reduced patient travel burdens
- Challenges: need for increased provider familiarity and usage of the eConsult platform
Original publication
Improving Access to Rheumatology Care: Evaluation of a Rheumatology Electronic Consultation Program. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 16 February 2026. doi:10.
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