A pooled electronic consultation program to improve access to genetics specialists

Emma K. Folkerts; Renée C. Pelletier; Daniel C. Chung; Susan A. Goldstein; Douglas S. Micalizzi; Kristen M. Shannon; David A. Sweetser; Eugene K. Wong; Heidi L. Rehm; Leland E. Hull

Genetics in Medicine Open (Jan 2023)

A pooled electronic consultation program to improve access to genetics specialists

Emma K. Folkerts,
Renée C. Pelletier,
Daniel C. Chung,
Susan A. Goldstein,
Douglas S. Micalizzi,
Kristen M. Shannon,
David A. Sweetser,
Eugene K. Wong,
Heidi L. Rehm,
Leland E. Hull

Affiliations

Emma K. Folkerts: Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
Renée C. Pelletier: Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
Daniel C. Chung: Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Susan A. Goldstein: Massachussetts General Physicians Organization, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Douglas S. Micalizzi: Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Kristen M. Shannon: Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA
David A. Sweetser: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Division of Medical Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Eugene K. Wong: Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Heidi L. Rehm: Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Leland E. Hull: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to Leland E. Hull, Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 100 Cambridge St, 16th Floor, Boston, MA 02114.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 1, no. 1
p. 100819

Abstract

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Purpose: Given limited ambulatory access to genetics specialists, innovative service delivery solutions are needed. Electronic consultation (e-consult) programs are growing to connect clinicians to specialists. We explored the utilization and outcomes of a genetics and genomics e-consult program at Massachusetts General Hospital system in its first year. Methods: A retrospective observational analysis of genetics e-consults ordered between April 2021 and March 2022. Results: In its first year, the e-consult service triaged 153 requests and completed 122 in a median of 2.0 days. Of the 97 e-consults with actionable recommendations, there was documentation that most ordering clinicians followed through (82%). A variety of providers used the service, though the majority (77%) were generalists. Conclusion: e-Consult models should be considered as one way to increase access to genetics expertise.

Published in Genetics in Medicine Open

ISSN: 2949-7744 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General): Genetics; Medicine
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/genetics-in-medicine-open

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Abstract

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