JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Electronic provider-to-provider consultations (eConsults) aim to improve access to specialist care by reducing waiting times and optimizing care pathways. While widely used in various healthcare settings, their implementation and utilization when the eConsult involves a hospital-based specialist, regardless of the requesting setting, remain underexplored.

Objective:

To review the practices and habits of asynchronous, provider-to-provider eConsults from a hospital perspective.

Methods:

A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Embase (Ovid platform) databases were systematically searched for studies published between 2010 and 2022 that focused on hospital-based eConsult practices and their impact on healthcare delivery.

Results:

Forty-five studies were included, with the majority originating from North America and Europe. The review identified three primary objectives of eConsults: i) reducing delays in patient care, ii) minimizing unnecessary referrals, and iii) improving access to expertise regardless of geographical constraints. eConsults were found to increase workflow efficiency, facilitate communication between providers, and improve decision-making. However, challenges related to workload distribution, regulatory frameworks, and financial incentives were also noted.

Conclusions:

eConsults offered significant benefits in improving specialist access and care coordination within hospitals. However, their integration into routine clinical workflows requires structured implementation strategies, appropriate financial models, and policy support. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes.