One-stop consultation in cardiology

Abstract

The use of one-stop consultations is growing. Cardiology is one of the specialties that will benefit most from it. The approach has undoubted advantages, such as, in particular, the speed of the diagnostic and therapeutic processes. Nonetheless, this approach should by no means be considered the only way of providing specialized care. It can and should coexist with traditional care since some investigations cannot be incorporated into the one-stop consultation model. Furthermore, the implementation of this approach or of its findings may be limited by a lack of resources, poor organization, or the low cost-effectiveness of particular investigations into certain conditions. The need for subsequent follow-up in patients should not be considered as a limitation of the approach since it does not affect its decision-making ability. Moreover, follow-up can take the same form as it would with traditional consultations.