Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the online collaboration tool?
A: Study participants will use a secure, web-based (online) software application, DocSynergyTM, to communicate with each other. The system is HIPAA compliant and accessible from any computer with a browser and internet connection. DocSynergyTM is provided free of charge and there is no other hardware or software to purchase.
---
Q: How will this affect my already busy office practice?
A: The study and the software have been designed to have minimal impact on your practice workflow. However, this study does require regular use of email and the internet, which may have an impact on some physician workflows.
---
Q: Who is eligible to participate in this study?
A: Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants and Clinical Nurse Specialists in northeastern Oklahoma.
---
Q: How much will I get paid?
A: Participating referring providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, and physicians assistants) will be reimbursed a $10 administrative fee for each consultation, for up to 40 qualified consults. Participating specialist physicians will be paid $20 to review, answer and triage each qualified consult.
---
Q: What constitutes a "qualified consult"?
A: A qualified consult comes from a participating referring provider who has not yet met their 40 consult payment cap.
---
Q: When do I get paid?
A: Payments will be made to your practice by check on a monthly basis, and will continue through the end of the study.
---
Q: How long does the study last?
A: The study will end when an adequate number of online consults have been performed. We estimate this will take 3-6 months.
---
Q: As a specialist, I am already answering "curbside" consults from other physicians by telephone. Is this any different?
A: Online consultations are similar to telephone conversations between providers with a few key differences. The online collaborations inherent in this study will automatically document your conversations with the referring physician (which is highly recommended by medical liability experts, but rarely done with "on the fly" telephone conversations). The online consultations occur asynchronously, that is, each party communicates at a time most convenient for them. Thus, referring providers need not repeatedly page the specialists and wait by the phone for a call back. Rather than being interrupted during other patient visits or procedures, specialists can respond to consult requests at a time that is convenient for them.
---
Q: Do I have to use DocSynergyTM for all of my non-urgent patient referrals?
A: In general, yes, we would prefer that 100% of your non-urgent referrals be made via the system. This is to ensure that the study is an accurate representation of the way physicians really practice. If, for example, a study participant were to use the system to make all orthopedic surgery referrals, but not endocrinology or rheumatology referrals, the results would be skewed. Thus, we ask that, at least for the duration of the study, participants make every effort to send all non-urgent referrals through the system
---
Q: Can I communicate with my patients using DocSynergyTM?
A: No, not at this time. DocSynergyTM is designed only for secure communication and care coordination between medical care providers.
---
Q: What if I want to refer to a specialist who is not listed on DocSynergyTM?
A: In the short term, the system will allow you to add any specialist you want to the list. If, however, the specialist is not participating in the study (and is therefore not accessible online), you may: (1) send a request to the specialist to join you online, (2) request that the specialist be added to the list, or (3) contact the specialist directly to arrange a referral. DocSynergyTM has the ability to print a data form to mail/fax to any specialist's office regardless of their participation in the Doc2Doc study.
---
Q: Can I use DocSynergyTM for my hospitalized patient referrals?
A: No, this study is not designed to evaluate the technology in an inpatient setting.
---
Q: Do I have to use DocSynergyTM for all of my "curbide" consults? Can't I just pick up the phone and talk with my specialist about a case?
A: You do not have to use DocSynergyTM for all informal (curbside) consults. As a study participant, you may communicate with other physicians by any other method that you choose. However, the study is designed to evaluate the impact of communications that occur in the system, so we prefer that, if convenient, these interactions occur in the study system.
---
Q: Can I withdraw from the study?
A: Yes, at any time. However, you will not be reimbursed for any consults sent or answered after the date of withdrawal.
---
Q: Can I discuss my participation in the study with other physicians?
A: Because this is a randomized, controlled trial we ask that you refrain from discussing any aspect of the study or the software program with any other participating physician.
---
Q: Does my malpractice insurance cover my participation in this study?
A: According to PLICO and the University of Oklahoma, physicians engaging in store and forward telemedicine are covered by their existing medical malpractice insurance provided they practice within the state of Oklahoma and within the scope of their training.
---
Q: What if I consult a specialist online but I don't get a response?
A: The DocSynergyTM software will automatically remind the specialist to complete the online consult if no response is sent within 24 hours. If the specialist does not respond within 48 hours, the software will automatically notify MedUnison, who will then contact the specialist by telephone.
---
Q: As a specialist, what if I go on vacation or if I am otherwise unable to answer an online consult?
A: Each specialist will have the ability to automatically forward their consults to a partner or other covering physician.
