TY - JOUR T1 - Family physician access to specialist advice by telephone JF - Canadian Family Physician JO - Can Fam Physician SP - e668 LP - e676 VL - 62 IS - 11 AU - Margot Wilson AU - Garey Mazowita AU - Andrew Ignaszewski AU - Adeera Levin AU - Clay Barber AU - David Thompson AU - Sandra Barr AU - Scott Lear AU - Robert D. Levy Y1 - 2016/11/01 UR - http://www.cfp.ca/content/62/11/e668.abstract N2 - Problem addressed Timely access to specialist care is an important issue for patients with mild to moderate symptoms, and wait times for referrals are currently quite long.Objective of program To provide FPs with quick telephone access to other specialists for treatment advice for patients with nonserious conditions that they would otherwise refer to specialist care.Program description The RACE (Rapid Access to Consultative Expertise) program is a telephone hot-line providing FPs and nurse practitioners in the Vancouver, BC, area with timely access to specialist consultations. An evaluation of data from RACE found 60% of RACE calls prevented patients from visiting a specialist and 32% of calls prevented FP referrals to hospital emergency departments.Conclusion Supported by RACE, FPs can more effectively remain the locus of patient care, calling on other specialist expertise when appropriate and providing better coordination of care for their patients. Evaluations to date suggest RACE helps reduce system costs by reducing unnecessary emergency department visits and face-to-face specialist consultations. ER -