Access to non-physician led Exercise Stress Echocardiography reduces wait times and improves consumer engagement.

The performing of non-physician led exercise stress testing with and without echocardiography has shown similar diagnostic utility and safety as physician led models. While diagnostic accuracy and relative safety have been the focus of previous research, the current study aims to demonstrate efficiencies not previously reported such as reduction in wait times for testing and improved service attendance. A non-physician led exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) service was implemented on 01/01/2018, prior to this all tests were performed under a physician led model. Retrospective data was retrieved from both models (physician led model from 01/01/2015 to 31/12/2017 and the non-physician led model from 01/01/2018 to 31/12/2023). Comparisons were made between the models regarding the number of tests performed, the average wait time to access testing, and the did not attend (DNA) rates. On average 212 tests were performed in the physician led model per year, with average wait times to access testing of 11.3 weeks and a DNA rate of 15.3%. In contrast, the non-physician led model performed on average 501 tests per year (135% increase) (p<0.001) with average wait times of 6 weeks (47% decrease) (p<0.01) and DNA rate of 4.8% (69% decrease). Despite the physician led group displaying an overall higher cardiovascular (CV) disease risk, there were no adverse CV events at the time of testing in either model. Non-physician led ESE remains as safe as physician led models but demonstrates service improvements including significant reductions in wait times and lower DNA rates.