Curbside Consult vs eConsult: What’s the Difference?

What Is a Curbside Consult?

A curbside consult is an informal discussion between clinicians, typically used to get quick guidance on a case. It usually happens via hallway conversation, phone, or text, based on limited, de-identified information, with no formal documentation or chart entry, and without establishing a physician-patient relationship.

Clinicians use curbside consults to:

• Sense-check a diagnosis
• Ask about next steps or workup
• Get peer input when weighing options
• Decide whether a referral is needed

What Is an eConsult?

An eConsult (electronic consultation) is a structured, asynchronous exchange between clinicians using a secure platform. It includes clinical history, labs, or imaging, resulting in a documented specialist recommendation, becomes part of the patient’s medical record, and may be billable under interprofessional consultation codes.

The primary clinician submits a case, the specialist reviews the information, and a written response is returned and documented. These consults are designed to improve care coordination and reduce unnecessary referrals.

Key Differences at a Glance

When to Use a Curbside Consult

• You need a quick sense-check
• The question is general or educational
• You would like peer input when weighing options
• You are deciding whether to refer
• A full chart review is not necessary

Curbside consults are especially helpful early in decision-making, before committing to a referral or formal consultation.

When to Use an eConsult

• You need patient-specific recommendations
• Documentation is important
• The case requires review of clinical data

Because eConsults include more complete information, they support more definitive recommendations.

Limitations of Each Approach

Curbside Consult Limitations

Traditional informal curbsides can carry risk when PHI leaks through unstructured texts or when there is no framework enforcing de-identification. Doctor2Doctor addresses this directly: its strictly de-identified, asynchronous structure removes the documentation burden entirely while keeping the conversation safe, secure, and purely educational. Recommendations may still vary based on limited clinical detail, and the treating clinician remains responsible for all decisions.

eConsult Limitations

Requires more time and workflow steps, may involve documentation burden, and is often tied to a specific platform or system. Can feel heavier than what the clinical question requires.

Where Doctor2Doctor Fits

Doctor2Doctor sits between these two models. It keeps the speed and flexibility of a curbside consult while adding:

• Structured, asynchronous communication
• Access to a network of specialists beyond your personal contacts
• De-identified case sharing
• A more reliable workflow than ad hoc texting

Unlike eConsults, Doctor2Doctor does not create a formal consultation, does not involve billing, and enforces strict de-identification rather than documentation. It is ideal for early-stage decision-making and peer-to-peer educational support.

Summary

Curbside consults are fast and informal, best for quick guidance. eConsults are structured and documented, best for patient-specific recommendations. Doctor2Doctor is a modern, structured curbside network designed for today’s workflow: faster than an eConsult, more reliable than ad hoc texting.