[How the individual characteristics and area of residence influence the request for virtual consultations?]

Introduction: The foundation of virtual consultation is to improve the cooperation and the coordination between Primary Care and other specialties. However, in its use inequities related to socioeconomic determinants have been described. The aim of this study was to identify individual and geographical factors affecting the likelihood of accessing this resource.
Material and Methods: Descriptive study of virtual and non-virtual consultations requested by Primary Care doctors from other specialists doctors in Aragon between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022. Characteristics of the interconsultations and variables specific to the patient treated were recorded and analyzed; and the request rate for virtual consultations by specialty and the standardized rates by age by Basic Health Zone and stratified by sex were calculated.
Results: Progressive increase in the number of virtual consultations for the study period, being Traumatology, Neurology, Urology, General Surgery and Dermatology the specialties that received the most. The standardized rates by age and stratified by sex were higher in women and the Health Areas of Huesca, Calatayud and Alcañiz. The request was higher in 2022 and the specialized referral was the main type of response. Regarding variables of the patients treated, virtual consultations were requested more in urban and less dispersed areas, women, patients with lower adjusted morbidity and with free pharmacy, pensioners and active users with income less than €18,000/year.
Conclusions: Despite the rise of telemedicine and its potential advantages, it is necessary to adapt it to the needs of the local population, to mitigate inequalities in access, and to integrate it with face-to-face care.
(Copyright © 2024 Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria (SEMERGEN). Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)