Successful Electronic Consultation Service Initiative in Quebec, Canada With Primary Care Physicians' and Specialists' Experiences on Acceptance and Use of Technological Innovation: Cross-Sectional Exploratory Study.

Background: Electronic consultation (eConsult) is an eHealth service that allows primary care providers (PCPs) to electronically consult specialists regarding their patients' medical issues. Many studies have demonstrated that eConsult services improve timely access to specialist care; prevent unnecessary referrals; improve PCPs', specialists', and patients' satisfaction; and therefore have a large impact on costs. However, no studies have evaluated PCPs' and specialists' acceptance of eConsult services in Quebec, Canada, and worldwide.

Improving the Referral Process, Timeliness, Effectiveness, and Equity of Access to Specialist Medical Services Through Electronic Consultation: Pilot Study.

Background: Access to specialty care remains a major challenge in the Canadian health care system. Electronic consultation (eConsult) services allow primary care providers to seek specialist advice often without needing the patient to go for a face-to-face consultation. It improves overall access to specialists and the referral process using an electronic care consultation service in urban and rural primary care clinics.