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The E-Consult Workgroup is a collaborative effort among providers, payers, technology innovators, and patient advocates to improve access to care. We are pleased to conduct this work through support from the California Health Care Foundation and our sponsors. | | |
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Celebrating Women’s History Month with a Focus on Women’s Health | |
In March, we are honoring Women’s History Month with a focus on telehealth to improve access to women’s health care. Recent studies demonstrate the efficacy of e-consult and telehealth to address women’s health needs. The article, Women’s Health and the Era After COVID-19, shares examples of how women’s health delivery and medical education were supported through telehealth throughout the pandemic. | | | |
In the post-COVID era, telehealth can continue to serve patients, “particularly those already experiencing structural, societal, economic and health inequities.” The article also states that “ Equitable reimbursement and coverage are necessary to scale-up ob-gyn’s telehealth use for essential health services, such as prenatal and postpartum physical and mental health services.” E-consult shows promise as a peer-to-peer telehealth modality helping to address routine, non-urgent issues in women’s health care. Do you have examples of effective use of e-consult to support the delivery of women’s health care? You can share these here. Providers and patients whose stories are featured by the E-Consult Workgroup will receive a stipend for their time. | |
March Engagement Opportunities | |
Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Think Tank | Behavioral Health Virtual Services and E-Consult Platform | The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is establishing CYBHI think tanks comprised of state and national experts on behavioral health and e-consult. | | | |
This work stream will provide input on regular automated assessments/screenings and self-monitoring tools, as well as services and supports to help children, youth, and families find assistance regardless of the source of payment for the service or support. The platform will also include e-consult for primary care, pediatric, and family practice providers. Think tank members will advise DHCS on the design and capabilities of the platform. The CYBHI Think Tanks Application deadline is Wednesday, March 23, 2022. DHCS will notify selected experts during the first week of April, prior to the kick-off of the CYBHI think tanks meetings in mid-April. Please email CYBHI@dhcs.ca.gov with questions. | |
E-Consult Best Practices on Pediatric Cases | |
E-Consult Workgroup members are invited to join a April 22 session on Best Practices in E-Consult for Pediatric Cases. This session is open to all interested stakeholders. Eligible attendees will receive CME for this session. Clinicians from Valley Children’s Health Care, Fresno, CA and ConferMed will share examples of how providers are utilizing e-consult to optimize specialty care for pediatric patients. | | | |
April 22, 2022
12pm-1pm PST | |
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Grant Opportunities Supporting E-Consult and Telehealth | |
Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Grant Program The Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program supports planning and implementation of quality improvement activities for rural primary care providers or providers of healthcare services. Rural Health Clinics (RHC), Critical Access Hospitals (CAH), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), and networks of small rural providers may apply here. The application deadline is March 22, 2022. American Rescue Plan Act Pediatric Mental Health Care Access New Area Expansion The purpose of this program is to promote behavioral health integration into pediatric primary care by supporting pediatric mental health care telehealth access programs. Application information can be found here. The application deadline is April 5, 2022. | |
We Want to Hear Your E-Consult Success Stories! | |
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E-Consult has proven effective in increasing access to specialty care for safety net patients who experience long wait times for high-demand specialty appointments. These same patients may be faced with multiple comorbidities which require follow-ups and additional referrals that may be addressed through e-consult. On April 26, 2022 from 12pm-1pm PST, we will present an educational session sharing e-consult examples and best practices for patients with multiple comorbidities. Edward Cladera, MD, and Pamela Gould, RN, of AristaMD, will present case examples of how e-consult can be used to improve equity in access to care for individuals who need it most. Eligible attendees will receive CME credit for this session. | |
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To support electronic consultation's uptake among long-term care homes, providers with the Champlain Base e-Consult Service, Ontario, CAN, created the electronic consultation long-term care utilization and savings tool that estimates the number of off-site appointments that patients in a long-term care home could avoid through electronic consultation, along with the consequent time and cost savings. This report provides a case study using long-term care data to demonstrate its potential impact, and notes that the electronic consultation long-term care utilization and savings estimator will be tested in real-world conditions following the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.
Visit econsultworkgroup.com to view additional publications on e-consult effectiveness, quality and cost savings data. | |
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Invite Your Peers to Join Us! | |
All interested stakeholders are welcome to join the NREC. To receive our newsletter and learn of upcoming events, please contact libby.sagara@bluepathhealth.com. | |
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Visit econsultworkgroup.com for recent publications, policy updates, event information, and educational materials. We welcome your stories and best practices for use of e-consult at econsultworkgroup@bluepathhealth.com. | | | |
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The E-Consult Workgroup Thanks Our Sponsors | |
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The E-Consult Workgroup Website and News are authored and maintained by BluePath Health. | |
