Optimizing referrals & consults with a standardized process.

Family physicians possess the knowledge and skills to handle 95 percent of the problems presented at patient visits, but at least once per day, on average, a patient’s condition requires a referral. Referrals and consultations are an important part of patient care, but they present numerous challenges: Will the consulting physician treat only the problem in question? Will he or she notify you of all test results and treatment plans? Will your patient be sent back to you for future care? Communication with your patient and with the consulting physician is key to ensuring that these things happen. This article discusses how to make referrals and consultations run smoothly for everyone involved.