HeartConnect: integrating primary care and specialist cardiology for rapid access and better patient and healthcare practitioner experiences

Yvonne Zurynski; Genevieve Dammery; Chrishan Nalliah; Simon Willcock; Catherine Smillie; Sanjyot Vagholkar; Walter Kmet; Shalini Wijekulasuriya; Sue Barry; Deborah Pallavicini; Gilbert Knaggs; Isabelle Meulenbroeks; Chloe Zurynski; Francisco Lopez

doi:10.31128/AJGP-05-24-7251

HeartConnect: integrating primary care and specialist cardiology for rapid access and better patient and healthcare practitioner experiences

Yvonne Zurynski^*, Genevieve Dammery, Chrishan Nalliah, Simon Willcock, Catherine Smillie, Sanjyot Vagholkar, Walter Kmet, Shalini Wijekulasuriya, Sue Barry, Deborah Pallavicini, Gilbert Knaggs, Isabelle Meulenbroeks, Chloe Zurynski, Francisco Lopez

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background and objectives
This study evaluates an innovative model of care, HeartConnect, which aims to improve timely access to specialist cardiology services and greater collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and cardiologists.

Methods
HeartConnect was co-designed by GPs, cardiologists, researchers, patients and practice managers. A mixed-methods evaluation was performed. Details of referrals and HeartConnect appointments were collected. In total, 15 patients and six health providers were surveyed and/or interviewed.

Results
Ninety-five patients consented to the research (n=57 male; n=38 female; mean age 53.8 [standard deviation 19.5] years). Referrals were for review of symptoms (52%), clinical management (12%) and assessment of high-risk patients (10%). Patients were seen within two days if the appointment was made by the GP. In 91% of cases, follow-up letters were sent back to the GP on the same day. Analysis of survey and interview data showed that the model was considered acceptable.

Discussion
HeartConnect shows promise for reducing waiting times and enhancing collaboration between specialist cardiologists and GPs.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	296-302
Number of pages	7
Journal	Australian Journal of General Practice
Volume	54
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-05-24-7251
Publication status	Published - 22 Apr 2025

Keywords

Health pathways
patient journey
heart disease

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10.31128/AJGP-05-24-7251

Cite this

Zurynski, Y., Dammery, G., Nalliah, C., Willcock, S., Smillie, C., Vagholkar, S., Kmet, W., Wijekulasuriya, S., Barry, S., Pallavicini, D., Knaggs, G., Meulenbroeks, I., Zurynski, C., & Lopez, F. (2025). HeartConnect: integrating primary care and specialist cardiology for rapid access and better patient and healthcare practitioner experiences. Australian Journal of General Practice, 54(5), 296-302. https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-05-24-7251

@article{9161e29c129f4604bdabf45be99380a7,

title = "HeartConnect: integrating primary care and specialist cardiology for rapid access and better patient and healthcare practitioner experiences",

abstract = "Background and objectives This study evaluates an innovative model of care, HeartConnect, which aims to improve timely access to specialist cardiology services and greater collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and cardiologists. Methods HeartConnect was co-designed by GPs, cardiologists, researchers, patients and practice managers. A mixed-methods evaluation was performed. Details of referrals and HeartConnect appointments were collected. In total, 15 patients and six health providers were surveyed and/or interviewed. Results Ninety-five patients consented to the research (n=57 male; n=38 female; mean age 53.8 [standard deviation 19.5] years). Referrals were for review of symptoms (52\%), clinical management (12\%) and assessment of high-risk patients (10\%). Patients were seen within two days if the appointment was made by the GP. In 91\% of cases, follow-up letters were sent back to the GP on the same day. Analysis of survey and interview data showed that the model was considered acceptable. Discussion HeartConnect shows promise for reducing waiting times and enhancing collaboration between specialist cardiologists and GPs.",

keywords = "Health pathways, patient journey, heart disease",

author = "Yvonne Zurynski and Genevieve Dammery and Chrishan Nalliah and Simon Willcock and Catherine Smillie and Sanjyot Vagholkar and Walter Kmet and Shalini Wijekulasuriya and Sue Barry and Deborah Pallavicini and Gilbert Knaggs and Isabelle Meulenbroeks and Chloe Zurynski and Francisco Lopez",

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doi = "10.31128/AJGP-05-24-7251",

language = "English",

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pages = "296--302",

journal = "Australian Journal of General Practice",

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Zurynski, Y, Dammery, G, Nalliah, C, Willcock, S, Smillie, C, Vagholkar, S, Kmet, W, Wijekulasuriya, S, Barry, S, Pallavicini, D, Knaggs, G, Meulenbroeks, I, Zurynski, C & Lopez, F 2025, 'HeartConnect: integrating primary care and specialist cardiology for rapid access and better patient and healthcare practitioner experiences', Australian Journal of General Practice, vol. 54, no. 5, pp. 296-302. https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-05-24-7251

TY - JOUR

T1 - HeartConnect

T2 - integrating primary care and specialist cardiology for rapid access and better patient and healthcare practitioner experiences

AU - Zurynski, Yvonne

AU - Dammery, Genevieve

AU - Nalliah, Chrishan

AU - Willcock, Simon

AU - Smillie, Catherine

AU - Vagholkar, Sanjyot

AU - Kmet, Walter

AU - Wijekulasuriya, Shalini

AU - Barry, Sue

AU - Pallavicini, Deborah

AU - Knaggs, Gilbert

AU - Meulenbroeks, Isabelle

AU - Zurynski, Chloe

AU - Lopez, Francisco

PY - 2025/4/22

Y1 - 2025/4/22

N2 - Background and objectives This study evaluates an innovative model of care, HeartConnect, which aims to improve timely access to specialist cardiology services and greater collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and cardiologists. Methods HeartConnect was co-designed by GPs, cardiologists, researchers, patients and practice managers. A mixed-methods evaluation was performed. Details of referrals and HeartConnect appointments were collected. In total, 15 patients and six health providers were surveyed and/or interviewed. Results Ninety-five patients consented to the research (n=57 male; n=38 female; mean age 53.8 [standard deviation 19.5] years). Referrals were for review of symptoms (52%), clinical management (12%) and assessment of high-risk patients (10%). Patients were seen within two days if the appointment was made by the GP. In 91% of cases, follow-up letters were sent back to the GP on the same day. Analysis of survey and interview data showed that the model was considered acceptable. Discussion HeartConnect shows promise for reducing waiting times and enhancing collaboration between specialist cardiologists and GPs.

AB - Background and objectives This study evaluates an innovative model of care, HeartConnect, which aims to improve timely access to specialist cardiology services and greater collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and cardiologists. Methods HeartConnect was co-designed by GPs, cardiologists, researchers, patients and practice managers. A mixed-methods evaluation was performed. Details of referrals and HeartConnect appointments were collected. In total, 15 patients and six health providers were surveyed and/or interviewed. Results Ninety-five patients consented to the research (n=57 male; n=38 female; mean age 53.8 [standard deviation 19.5] years). Referrals were for review of symptoms (52%), clinical management (12%) and assessment of high-risk patients (10%). Patients were seen within two days if the appointment was made by the GP. In 91% of cases, follow-up letters were sent back to the GP on the same day. Analysis of survey and interview data showed that the model was considered acceptable. Discussion HeartConnect shows promise for reducing waiting times and enhancing collaboration between specialist cardiologists and GPs.

KW - Health pathways

KW - patient journey

KW - heart disease

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105004603745

UR - https://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/9100002

U2 - 10.31128/AJGP-05-24-7251

DO - 10.31128/AJGP-05-24-7251

M3 - Article

C2 - 40320805

SN - 2208-794X

VL - 54

SP - 296

EP - 302

JO - Australian Journal of General Practice

JF - Australian Journal of General Practice

IS - 5

ER -

HeartConnect: integrating primary care and specialist cardiology for rapid access and better patient and healthcare practitioner experiences

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HeartConnect: integrating primary care and specialist cardiology for rapid access and better patient and healthcare practitioner experiences

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