Analysis of the quality of e-Consultations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Respir Med
; 222: 107514, 2024 Feb.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38171405
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The quality of e-Consultations in the COPD is unknown. The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the quality of referrals; (ii) to define the characteristics of patients referred from Primary Care (PC) to the Unit of Pulmonology; and (iii) to describe differences between accepted and rejected patients.METHODS:
A retrospective, observational study of e-Consultations requested by PC for suspected COPD throughout 2022. To quantify the quality of the e-Consultations, an arbitrary scale of 12 variables (score 0-10) was created.RESULTS:
In total, 384 e-Consultations were reviewed, of which 167 (43.5 %) resulted in a face-to-face visit, and 217 (56.5 %) were rejected. No differences were observed between the two types of patients, except for confirmations of diagnostic suspicion of COPD [significantly higher in accepted patients (p = 0.042)]; physical examination data of rejected patients (more data provided; p = 0.015); and lung function (significantly better in rejected patients). The mean quality of referrals was acceptable (5.6 ± 2.1 score) 121 (31.3 %) had insufficient quality; 118 (30.5 %) acceptable; 75 (19.4 %) good, and 30 (7.8 %) excellent. Quality was low in half of the variables analyzed (6/12); acceptable in 3, and good in another 3. The capacity of resolution of referrals was good (one e-Consultation) in 199 requests (66.1 %); deficient (two e-Consultations) in 72 (23.9 %), and poor (≥3 e-Consultations) in 30 (10 %). Overdiagnosis was 40.2 % (86/214 e-Consultations). The risk could be classified in 247 patients (64.3 %; 135 low-risk; 90 high-risk).CONCLUSIONS:
When adequate information is provided, e-Consultations help identify different levels of severity. However, the quality and capacity of resolution of referrals were suboptimal, with a high percentage of overdiagnoses.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Respir Med
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article