Should primary care physicians consult on their admitted patients? A single-center survey study

Authors

Basil George Verghese, Rochester Regional HealthFollow
Mohamed Salah Mohamed, Rochester Regional HealthFollow
Anas Hashem, Rochester Regional HealthFollow
Amani Khalouf, Rochester Regional HealthFollow
Pradyumna Phatak, Rochester Regional HealthFollow

Department

Medicine

Additional Department

Oncology and Hematology

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: With the rise of hospital medicine, care has become fragmented between inpatient and outpatient settings. Having primary care physicians (PCPs) consult on their admitted patients through televisits could improve patient and hospital outcomes, but perspectives on this model are unknown in adult hospital medicine.

METHODS: A single-center cross-sectional survey was conducted to compare PCP and hospitalist attitudes regarding PCP telemedicine consultation for admitted patients in a large US academic hospital.

RESULTS: A total of 120 participants (52 hospitalists and 68 PCPs) responded to the survey. Most hospitalists believed that their patients would benefit from PCP consultation, with 45.8% believing it was slightly important, 18.8% moderately important, and 22.9% quite important. The level of importance did not seem to influence the effort required, as most hospitalists would put in only a little effort (35.4%) to obtain a PCP consultation. PCPs were more inclined to consult on their admitted patients; 18.6% considered it slightly important to obtain their consultation, 35.6% believed it was moderately important, and 23.7% believed it was quite important. PCPs were willing to put more effort into setting up a PCP consultation (some effort, 45.8%) vs hospitalists (little effort, 35.4%). The most common challenge perceived by both groups was time commitment (hospitalists, 78.8%; PCPs, 75.0%).

CONCLUSIONS: Both hospitalists and PCPs agree that a PCP consultation would benefit the patient's medical care in specific situations. However, views on the importance and frequency of PCP consultations vary between the two groups.

First Page

269

Last Page

272

DOI

10.1080/08998280.2023.2299887

Volume

37

Issue

2

Publication Date

2-1-2024

PubMed ID

38343455

Recommended Citation

Verghese, B. G., Mohamed, M. S., Hashem, A., Khalouf, A., & Phatak, P. (2024). Should primary care physicians consult on their admitted patients? A single-center survey study. Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center), 37 (2), 269-272. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2023.2299887