ASGE Annual GI Advanced Practice Provider Course - Onboarding Day One (On-Demand) | July 2021-01

01_Fundamentals of the GI Consult-Kaul

Pdf Summary

The ASGE Annual Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Course focused on the fundamentals of GI consultation. The role of a GI consultant is to provide assessments and recommendations in response to clinical questions posed by referring providers. The consultant receives consultations through various methods such as electronic health records, fax, phone, email, etc. They triage consultations based on urgency and provide scheduling guidance for clinic visits or direct procedures. In the outpatient setting, consultation requests are reviewed and processed by APPs, who may also triage the requests. In the inpatient setting, APPs coordinate consult activity with attending physicians.<br /><br />There are differences between inpatient and outpatient consultations. Inpatient consultations are usually for sicker patients requiring complex decision-making, while outpatient consultations are for healthier patients with more focused questions. Key considerations during consultations include determining if they are elective, semi-elective, or urgent, assessing the need for emergency department visits, and understanding the patient's competency and ability to engage meaningfully.<br /><br />The principal elements of a GI consult include record and imaging review, medication reconciliation, review of systems, focused review of GI symptoms, detailed physical examination, patient education, and clear assessment and recommendations. Each element has its significance in generating accurate and meaningful consultations. An ideal consultant is compassionate, empathetic, accessible, and communicates effectively. <br /><br />Strategies for APPs as GI consultants include clarifying unclear consult questions, consulting with colleagues for guidance, directly communicating urgent findings, building relationships with referring providers, reviewing referrals in advance, and utilizing e-consults for low complexity clinical issues.<br /><br />E-consults provide a convenient way for PCPs to request and receive specialty input for low complexity clinical issues. They are also being utilized for hospitalized patients, reducing traffic and potential exposure to COVID-19. The consultation note should include endoscopic procedure risk stratification, recommendations regarding medication adjustments, and discussion of informed consent. The responsibilities of a GI consultant include record review, patient education, and documentation consistent with the level of billing.<br /><br />In summary, the ASGE Annual APP Course covered the fundamentals of GI consultation, including the role of a consultant, key considerations, principal elements of a GI consult, and strategies for APPs as GI consultants. E-consults are becoming more prevalent and beneficial in both outpatient and inpatient settings.

Keywords

GI consultation

consultations

outpatient setting

inpatient setting

key considerations

elements of a GI consult

patient education

strategies for APPs

e-consults

responsibilities of a GI consultant