Ontario eConsult Program

eConsult is a secure web-based tool that allows physicians and nurse practitioners timely access to specialist advice for all patients and often eliminates the need for an in-person specialist visit. The Ontario CLRI is collaborating with the Ontario eConsult Program team to support the integration of its services into long-term care homes across Ontario.

The Ontario eConsult Program is led by the Ontario eConsult Centre of Excellence (eConsult COE), housed at The Ottawa Hospital in partnership with the Bruyère Research Institute. Delivery partners are the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN), OntarioMD, and eHealth Ontario, with the support of the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care.

Background

Limited access to specialist care remains a major barrier to health care in Canada. High levels of frustration exist about poor access and long wait lists.

Residents may wait months to see specialists as they face frustration and sometimes worsening conditions, only to learn that all they needed was a simple fix. The risks of delays only increase as a person ages and as they become frailer.

The Ontario eConsult Program provides regional and provincial eConsult services incorporating both the BASE™ managed specialty and direct-to-specialist models through the Ontario eConsult Service (accessed on the OTNhub) and Champlain BASE™ eConsult Service (primarily used in Champlain and Mississauga-Halton regions). Many physicians and nurse practitioners across the province are already registered on one or both of these services and can access a wide range of specialties to receive timely advice/guidance from appropriate specialists

Key Resources:

• Primary Care Provider Fact Sheet
• LTC Frequently Asked Questions Sheet
• Sample eConsult Cases from LTC
• Cost Savings and Usage Estimator and Guide

LTC providers can learn more about the history and process of eConsult, as well as register to use the service.