Variable | Faxed referrals, no. (%) n = 300 | eConsults, no. (%) n = 300 |
---|---|---|
Clinical content | ||
Abnormal serology without joint symptoms | 8 (2.7) | 27 (9.0) |
Bursitis | 1 (0.3) | 0 (0.0) |
Connective tissue disease | 9 (3.0) | 3 (1.0) |
Crystal arthropathy — pseudogout | 2 (0.7) | 1 (0.3) |
Crystal arthropathy — gout | 4 (1.3) | 15 (5.0) |
Elevated creatine kinase | 1 (0.3) | 7 (2.3) |
Fibromyalgia | 8 (2.7) | 3 (1.0) |
Inflammatory monoarthritis | 5 (1.7) | 12 (4.0) |
Inflammatory polyarthritis | 30 (10.0) | 18 (6.0) |
Osteoarthritis | 13 (4.3) | 9 (3.0) |
Osteoporosis | 28 (9.3) | 51 (17.0) |
Paget disease of bone | 1 (0.3) | 3 (1.0) |
Pain — back | 4 (1.3) | 11 (3.7) |
Pain — multiple joints | 28 (9.3) | 21 (7.0) |
Pain — not otherwise specified | 3 (1.0) | 2 (0.7) |
Pain — single joint | 1 (0.3) | 4 (1.3) |
Polymyalgia rheumatica | 12 (4.0) | 19 (6.3) |
Raynaud disease | 4 (1.3) | 9 (3.0) |
Rheumatoid arthritis | 32 (10.7) | 17 (5.7) |
Scleroderma | 5 (1.7) | 0 (0.0) |
Sjögren syndrome | 7 (2.3) | 4 (1.3) |
Systemic lupus erythematous | 24 (8.0) | 10 (3.3) |
Vasculitis | 12 (4.0) | 7 (2.3) |
Other | 38 (12.7) | 40 (13.3) |
No specific diagnosis given | 9 (3.0) | 0 (0.0) |
Question type | ||
Diagnosis | 75 (25.0) | 72 (24.0) |
Drug related | 25 (8.3) | 67 (22.3) |
Procedure | 6 (2.0) | 3 (1.0) |
Management | 61 (20.3) | 58 (19.3) |
Epidemiology | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.3) |
Nonclinical or administrative | 2 (0.7) | 0 (0.0) |
More than 1 specific question | 15 (5.0) | 99 (33.0) |
No specific question | 116 (38.7) | 0 (0.0) |