Furthermore, it identifies an at-risk cohort (i.e. young, AA) with an increasing burden of a preventable liver disease and provides a framework for formulating healthcare policies. It is essential that the liver transplant community in collaboration with other stakeholders prioritizes and allocates resources to address and implement strategies to circumvent this emerging public health priority in the younger population.
Disclosures: Edson S. Franco – Grant/Research Support: bayers, gilead, eisai Erin Parkinson – Speaking and Teaching: Gilead, Cilomilast manufacturer BMS Elizabeth Cece Fallon – Speaking and Teaching: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Abb-Vie Pharmaceuticals Angel Alsina – Advisory Committees or Review Panels: Bayer; Speaking and Teaching: Bayer, Novartis The following
people have nothing to disclose: Nyingi M. Kemmer, Chris Albers, Husssein Osman-Mohamed, Jennifer Horkan Introduction: Primary Care Providers (PCPs) in rural areas report professional isolation and difficulty accessing educational opportunities. These factors contribute to symptoms of provider burnout in up to half of PCPs. As part of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Specialty Care Access Network-Extension for Community Health Outcomes (SCAN-ECHO) program, we launched a provider-to-provider Hepatology telemedicine consultation service to mentor PCPs caring for predominantly rural Veterans with liver disease. The goals of the project were to expand access to specialty care for rural patients, develop learn more PCPs’ clinical expertise, and promote primary-specialty care integration. Aim: To determine whether provider-to-provider Hepatology telemedicine consultation affects MCE self-reported
PCP knowledge, job satisfaction, and integration with Hepatology specialty care. Methods: We conducted an email survey of VA-based PCPs in the rural Pacific Northwest who attended a longitudinal Hepatology telemedicine program (n=31). We used a validated single-question measure to assess professional burnout. Descriptive summary statistics are reported. Results: Surveys were sent to 63 PCPs of whom 31 reported participating in at least one SCAN-ECHO session in the preceding 24 months (response rate 49%). Of those, 61% had participated in SCAN-ECHO for at least 6 months. Most respondents were experienced PCPs with at least 2 years of practice experience, and 28.5% reported at least one symptom of burnout. All respondents (100%) felt that the program increased their knowledge and competencies. Most (86%) reported it improved the quality of patient care and that information learned was also useful treating similar patients not discussed in the program (83%). The majority of PCPs (86%) reported that SCAN-ECHO increased their overall job satisfaction. Most (71%) felt more integrated into a clinical team and 100% stated that they would recommend the program to a colleague. Most (69%) felt that the program increased access to specialty care for their patients.