Experience with Pediatric Neurology e-Consults from a Specialist Perspective at an Academic Center

Abstract

E-consults improve access to specialty expertise and increase satisfaction for patients and Primary Care Providers (PCPs). Pediatric neurology may be perceived as less amenable to e-consults compared to other specialties. We performed a retrospective analysis of e-consults performed by pediatric neurologists at the University of Virginia. We reviewed the electronic medical records and analyzed the content of e-consults, recommendations from specialists, and subsequent actions by PCPs. Between April 2019 and April 2021, 58 e-consults were performed by pediatric neurologists. Most common indications included spells, headache, and tremor. In 56.9% of cases, the answer was provided without recommending a face-to-face (FTF) visit. For patients seen in clinic, e-consults reduced wait time and facilitated the clinic visit. E-consults are a suitable option for pediatric neurology, and they help with the workflow. Further education is needed to improve utility of e-consults in pediatric neurology.