eConsult
OTN eConsult connects referring physicians and nurse practitioners to specialists, providing the opportunity to inform clinical decision making without sending the patient to see the specialist in person. Through a private and secure web page, referring providers can ask a specialist a clinical question about their patient and receive advice quickly and securely… in less than 3 days on average.
OTN, in conjunction with OntarioMD, has launched eConsult in Toronto Central, Central, Central East, South West and North East Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). The Champlain LHIN, also in partnership with OTN and OntarioMD, offers their own version of an econsult program known as BASE. It is available in the Champlain LHIN as well as the Mississauga Halton LHIN.
eConsult is available to referring providers in new LHINs1 on a limited basis. There are 2 models available during this extension:
- Submit case directly to a specialist OR to next available specialist in a specialty group
- 85+ specialist types mainly from South West, Toronto Central, Central, Central East and North East LHINs
- Submit case to a specialty – next available specialist responds within a week
- 90+ specialty services from Champlain & Mississauga Halton LHINs
- For more information watch this video and contact econsultsupport@lhinworks.on.ca
Interested providers from new LHINs, please email econsult@ontariomd.com and OntarioMD will guide you through the application process.
OTN and Champlain BASE have collaborated to integrate the Managed Service Model into the OTNhub. A six-month pilot leveraging this solution will begin in Kingston starting February 2017.
1 New LHINs include Erie St Clair, Waterloo Wellington, Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant, Central East, South East, North Simcoe Muskoka, and North West
Access OTN eConsult by signing up for an OTNhub account.
About OTN eConsult
eConsult specialties include:
Dermatology
Diagnostic Radiology
Endocrinology and Metabolism
Family Medicine
Gastroenterology
General Surgery
Geriatric Medicine
Gynecologic Oncology
Infectious Diseases
Internal Medicine
Nephrology
Neurology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedic Surgery
Other: GP specializing in Pain Management
Other: Geriatric Psychiatry
Other: Refugee Care
Pediatric Cardiology
Pediatrics
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Plastic Surgery
Psychiatry
Respirology
Rheumatology
Thoracic Surgery
Urology
- Find and select a specialist from a directory of providers
- Ask and respond to requests for consultation
- Securely and efficiently exchange patient health information
- Better coordinate the care of their patients
eConsult for Ontario Physicians
eConsult connects referring physicians and nurse practitioners to specialists, providing the opportunity to inform clinical decision making without sending the patient to see the specialist in person. Video courtesy of OntarioMD.
“What better way to acquire a direct portal to the opinions and recommendations of various specialists? As a specialist myself, I thoroughly enjoy clicking on the various consults that come my way, curious to know the next question asked of me. I use eConsult not only as a way to help my colleagues manage their patients, but also as an opportunity to provide education by sending relevant, complementary images or articles, for instance. This is a unique benefit to eConsult that cannot be achieved with any other medium. A strong online community of physicians, eager to teach and learn, is an ideal way to grow our collective pool of knowledge which can only result in the provision of better care for our patients.”
Dr. Evan LewisClinical Programs
Teledermatology
Many clinicians are already using OTN’s Teledermatology program to access dermatology consults in less than 5 days. Now with a digital camera and web browser, you can get a consult with an Ontario dermatologist within 5 days. The Teledermatology program is available to referring physicians and specialists at no cost.
Teleophthalmology
Timely, accessible eye care, so eye disease is more likely to be discovered, and treated, before irreversible vision loss.
Telepsychiatry
OTN enables access to care for more than 100,000 mental health and addiction patients annually. Telemedicine provides a welcome relief by providing timely access to care without the need for extensive travel.
Northern Health Travel Grant
When Northern Ontario patients need to travel for specialized medical care, it can represent a significant personal and economic burden. See how telemedicine can make a difference.
eVisit
Arrange real-time video visits with patients and peers. And choose the method that’s best for you: PC/Mac, mobile or Room-based.
3 ways to eVisit
On your PC or Mac
OTNconnect App on your iOS or Android device
Room-based systems in health organizations
Mount Sinai Perinatal Program
New mothers may experience psychiatric disorders that make it difficult to get to healthcare appointments while managing their pregnancy or keeping up with the demands of a newborn baby. See how Mount Sinai is leveraging virtual care to address this gap, provide greater access to care, and improve patient outcomes.
Clinical Programs
Telestroke
Telestroke is a 24/7 emergency telemedicine application that provides emergency physicians with immediate access to neurologists with expertise in stroke care who can support both the assessment and treatment of patients experiencing acute stroke.
Emergency (Teleburn, Virtual Critical Care, Teletrauma)
Telemedicine can be an effective way to bring specialized emergency care and timely treatment to patients in need. In addition to equalizing health care for Ontarians facing urgent or emergent health issues, telemedicine can provide an important communications channel during a pandemic or natural disaster, reduce costs, help to ensure the sustainability of the healthcare system, and reduce the environmental impact of health care.
Integrating eVisit in clinical care
Today, healthcare professionals across Ontario are using telemedicine across many therapeutic areas of care. They can connect quickly with their patients, and when necessary, with specialists, to deliver high quality care while improving the patient experience.
Read how healthcare professionals have made telemedicine mainstream and incorporated it into their practice for psychiatry, oncology, general surgery and cardiology.
eCare
Use apps and other devices to monitor patients or coach them to manage their condition at home – ideal for patients with chronic conditions, or mobility issues.
OTN is at the forefront of telemedicine innovation, keeping care closer to home. We continue to introduce new apps to better serve patients and providers in the delivery of care.
Clinical Programs
Telehomecare
Telehomecare supports patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or congestive heart failure (CHF), plus diabetes as a comorbidity, through health coaching and remote monitoring. Telehomecare is free to patients.
BENEFITS
- Patients are able to live their best possible life. Telehomecare complements the care provided by their primary care provider.
- The patient’s doctor is provided with regular reports on the patient’s status and early warning of potential worsening of the condition.
- This service reduces unnecessary visits to the emergency department and hospital admissions.
HOW IT WORKS
Telehomecare supports patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or congestive heart failure (CHF), plus diabetes as a comorbidity, through health coaching and remote monitoring. Telehomecare is free to patients.
- A primary care provider refers a patient to the CCAC, FHT or hospital delivering Telehomecare in the region.
- A technician installs home monitoring equipment.
- Patients use home-based technology to measure blood pressure, oxygen, weight, and to answer simple questions about how they are feeling.
- Specially-trained registered nurses or certified respiratory therapists monitor daily vital signs and provide weekly health coaching by telephone.
Clinicians who want to learn more about Telehomecare can visit RxTelehomecare.ca. Learn more about the program and check availability in your community.
Otto and his wife Ulla discuss how Telehomecare has helped Otto effectively manage his heart failure at home.