Table 1.

Overview of Positive Impacts of eReferral

Process/Outcome	Example Quotes
Clinical efficiencies	“…[The patient’s] visit is more productive because they’ve already done some of the initial diagnostic work.” (PCP) “It avoids patients that are completely inappropriately referred …which saves the patient and us time.” (specialty reviewer) “…so you can reassure the primary care physician, do this, this and that and if that’s all negative, [the patient] doesn’t need a referral.” (specialty reviewer)
Consult questions	“One of the big issues that used to come up–and it sounds absurd but–it would be very difficult to figure out what the primary provider wanted to have answered… So that’s not an issue anymore.” (specialty reviewer)
Wait times	“My sense…for GI, night and day. Liver clinic, night and day. It used to be five months to a year, now it’s about one to two months.” (PCP)
Administrative efficiencies	“Even if they’re not scheduled or were declined by Dr. [ ] …we could still see it on the history…it’s very accurate.” (specialty admin staff) “Less time is spent on calling, faxing.” (PCP admin staff)