Top 5 eConsult Use Cases for Correctional Health

Correctional healthcare providers face unique challenges in delivering timely and high-quality patient care. Limited resources or treatment options, extended specialty wait times, and complex offsite coordination all impact the way care is delivered. Specialty eConsults can help clinical teams balance medical needs with security. This article explores top 5 eConsult use cases for Correctional Health that make a difference.

eConsults Empower Correctional Healthcare Providers

The health care of incarcerated people is an essential part of every correctional institution’s work. Providing timely, cost-effective, and safe primary care is the foundation of correctional healthcare, and a source of hope for the populations they serve. Integrating virtual specialty care into the care model can help clinicians make more effective care decisions, improve engagement and education, as well as reduce safety risks and coordination hassles. 

The average incarcerated patient waits 114 days on average to see a specialist. Studies show that for chronic and prevalent conditions commonly seen in institutional settings, patients can be more effectively treated when supported by high-quality virtual specialists.

eConsults help close gaps by providing correctional health teams with a fast way to communicate with specialists in near real-time, avoiding unnecessary referrals and the need to navigate through logistical red tape. RubiconMD shares some of the most common conditions and real use case examples that we’ve seen in our 9+ years serving correctional patients. 

Click on each case to view the eConsult full transcript.

1. Chronic Pancreatitis Use Case for Corrections

In this RubiconMD eConsult, a PCP seeks treatment recommendation for incarcerated female patient with severe abdominal pain and chronic pancreatitis. RubionMD network gastroenterologist recommends appropriate medication options for corrections, along with educational insights to help inform the ongoing care plan. 

2. Knee Injury Use Case for Corrections

When an incarcerated male patient with a history of multiple orthopedic injuries experiences new knee pain, his PCP seeks guidance on next steps in pain management and diagnosis. RubiconMD orthopedic specialist presents three paths for managing osteoarthritis, with applicable treatment plans for each.

3. Atopic Dermatitis Use Case for Corrections

Read the transcript for an incarcerated male patient presenting with an abnormal skin exam. RubiconMD network dermatologist provided recommendations on different diagnosis and therapies applicable to the correctional care setting, avoiding a referral.

4. Suspicion of Blood Clot Use Case for Corrections

Another real case features an incarcerated male patient experiencing sudden severe pain in his toes and foot. The RubiconMD rheumatology specialist recommends further imaging and lab orders to explore the cause of the pain and rule out blood clots or other risks.

5. Hepatology Use Case for Corrections

Read the transcript of a PCP seeking medication management for an incarcerated male patient living with Hepatitis B. RubiconMD network specialist recommendations were immediately actionable and helped inform a care plan accounts for correctional setting limitations, while optimizing long term patient outcomes.

National Commission of Correctional Health Providers 2025 Spring Conference

RubiconMD understands the challenges clinical teams face in navigating safe and accessible patient care. Join us in Louisville, KY from April 5-8 at the NCCHC Spring Conference, Booth #202. We are eager to engage and explore new ways we can transform healthcare delivery within the correctional setting.  You can schedule a time to meet with us in person HERE. 

RubiconMD eConsults empower primary care clinicians to deliver more effective care within the correctional setting at less risk, avoiding ~70% of referrals and improving care planning up to 90% of the time.

Watch our complementary webinar on enhancing correctional healthcare delivery through virtual care insights, and look out for news regarding more corrections learning opportunities in 2025! 

Connect with RubiconMD at NCCHC Spring 2025 Conference

• Visit us at Booth #202 (grab some cool swag!)
• Contact us to schedule a virtual platform demo before or after the show.
• Not going to the NCCHC event but want to learn more? Connect with us today.

Connecting Correctional Clinicians to Trusted Virtual Specialists

The RubiconMD Specialist Network is the largest, most extensive network of board-certified specialists, specifically trained in virtual care. The team has been supporting correctional clinicians for over 9 years, helping to transform care for incarcerated people with a tailored approach to this unique patient setting. The RubiconMD standard for specialist insights employs clinical rigor for consistent, high-quality consults, every time.

Visit the RubiconMD correctional healthcare page for more information on how to improve patient outcomes today.