Area of exploration | Specific information sought | Sample questions |
---|---|---|
Type of epilepsy care | Type of epilepsy care provided by the facility | What changes to the type of care you provide have you noticed since ECOE initiative? |
Organization of care | Clinical work flow at the site, e.g., in the epilepsy clinic, neurology clinic (for Spoke facilities without epileptologist), or ECOE | What is the structure of the epilepsy care team? How has that changed since ECOE initiative? How have the roles of individuals on the epilepsy care team changed since ECOE initiative? |
Referral | Formal policies | Describe any formal changes that have been implemented since the ECOE initiative, including clinical pathways. |
Clinical work flow and communication involved in referrals | How are Spoke-to-Hub Referrals handled? Who initiates communication from the spoke? Who receives communication at the Hub? | |
How are Hub to Hub Referrals handled? | ||
Satisfaction with referral processes | How satisfied are you with the current referral processes and why? | |
Use of technology | How is information technology (IT) being used to manage clinical work flow? | Describe strategies that have been developed to enhance access to epilepsy specialty care. |
Describe strategies that have been developed to improve the quality of epilepsy care for Veterans. | ||
Do you have plans to incorporate new IT tools/ modify existing tools to manage clinical work flow/ referral? | ||
Educational approach | Types of education being offered at the ECOE | Describe the educational mission with regard to teaching fellows. |
Describe approach for educational outreach. | ||
General impact of ECOE initiative | Most salient changes from the perspective of clinicians/administrators | Describe the most important changes that have resulted from the ECOE care structure. |
Barriers/facilitators | Describe any barriers you have encountered. | |
Other unexpected changes | Describe any other unexpected changes or consequences you have experienced. | |
Other changes | Other changes in the field unrelated to the ECOE initiative | Describe any changes in the field of epilepsy care that you believe may have an influence on the quality of epilepsy care or access to epilepsy care within or outside the VA. |