1. Enhancing patient outcomes: Integrating electronic cardiology consultation in primary care for cancer patients
- Author
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Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular e Enfermidades Crónicas, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Bioquímica e Bioloxía Molecular, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psiquiatría, Radioloxía, Saúde Pública, Enfermaría e Medicina, González‐Juanatey, José R., Cinza Sanjurjo, Sergio, Mazón Ramos, Pilar, Rey Aldana, Daniel, Garcia Vega, David, Portela Romero, Manuel, Rodríguez Mañero, Moisés, Sestayo Fernández, Manuela, Lage Fernández, Ricardo, López López, Rafael, González Juanatey, José Ramón, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular e Enfermidades Crónicas, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Bioquímica e Bioloxía Molecular, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psiquiatría, Radioloxía, Saúde Pública, Enfermaría e Medicina, González‐Juanatey, José R., Cinza Sanjurjo, Sergio, Mazón Ramos, Pilar, Rey Aldana, Daniel, Garcia Vega, David, Portela Romero, Manuel, Rodríguez Mañero, Moisés, Sestayo Fernández, Manuela, Lage Fernández, Ricardo, López López, Rafael, and González Juanatey, José Ramón
- Abstract
Background: The prevalence of cancer patients with concomitant cardiovascular (CV) disease is on the rise due to improved cancer prognoses. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcomes of cancer patients referred to a cardiology department (CD) via primary care using e-consultation. Methods: We analysed data from cancer patients with prior referrals to a CD between 2010 and 2021 (n = 6889) and compared two care models: traditional in-person consultations and e-consultations. In e-consultation model, cardiologists reviewed electronic health records (e-consultation) to determine whether the demand could be addressed remotely or necessitated an in-person consultation. We used an interrupted time series regression model to assess outcomes during the two periods: (1) time to cardiology consultation, (2) rates of all-cause and CV related hospital admissions and (3) rates of all-cause and CV-related mortality within the first year after the initial consultation or e-consultation at the CD. Results: Introduction of e-consultation for cancer patients referred to cardiology care led to a 51.8% reduction (95%CI: 51.7%–51.9%) in waiting times. Furthermore, we observed decreased 1-year incidence rates, with incidence rate ratios (iRRs) [IC95%] of .75 [.73–.77] for CV-related hospitalizations, .43 [.42–.44] for all-cause hospitalizations, and .87 [.86–.88] for all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Compared to traditional in-person consultations, an outpatient care program incorporating e-consultation for cancer patients significantly reduced waiting times for cardiology care and demonstrated safety, associated with lower rates of hospital admissions
- Published
- 2024