Communication Between Primary Care Physicians and Consultants
Ronald M. Epstein, MD
Arch Fam Med. 1995;4(5):403-409.
Abstract
| |
Optimal communication between primary care physicians and consultants includes transfer of relevant clinical information, including the patient's perspectives and values, and provides a means of collaboration to provide meaningful and health-promoting interventions. Communication difficulties arise because of lack of time, lack of clarity about the reason for referral, patient self-referral, and unclear follow-up plans. Also, primary care physicians and consultants may have different core values and may have little day-to-day contact with each other. Poor communication leads to disruptions in continuity of care, delayed diagnoses, unnecessary testing, and iatrogenic complications. Changes in the health care system offer the opportunity for improved collaboration between physicians by creating smaller administrative units within large health care systems that facilitate contact between primary care physicians and consultants; incorporation of discussions of uncertainty, patient preferences, and values into referral letters; adoption of a friendlier consultant letter format; and the improvement of the transfer of clinical data.
Author Affiliations
From the Program for Biopsychosocial Studies, Highland Hospital Primary Care Institute, and the Departments of Family Medicine and Psychiatry, University of Rochester (NY) School of Medicine and Dentistry.
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Building Communication Between Professionals at Children's Specialty Hospitals and the Medical Home
Stille et al.
CLIN PEDIATR 2009;48:661-673.
ABSTRACT
Using Computerized Provider Order Entry and Clinical Decision Support to Improve Referring Physicians' Implementation of Consultants' Medical Recommendations
Were et al.
J. Am. Med. Inform. Assoc. 2009;16:196-202.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Co-management in healthcare: negotiating professional boundaries
Schryer et al.
DISCOURSE & COMMUNICATION 2007;1:452-479.
ABSTRACT
Genetic Services for Familial Cancer Patients: A Follow-Up Survey of National Cancer Institute Cancer Centers
Epplein et al.
JCO 2005;23:4713-4718.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Coordinating Care across Diseases, Settings, and Clinicians: A Key Role for the Generalist in Practice
Stille et al.
ANN INTERN MED 2005;142:700-708.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Generalist-Subspecialist Communication for Children With Chronic Conditions: A Regional Physician Survey
Stille et al.
Pediatrics 2003;112:1314-1320.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Physician Satisfaction with High-Resolution CT Services Provided by Radiologists: Results of a Nationwide Survey of Pulmonary Subspecialists
Scatarige et al.
Am. J. Roentgenol. 2003;180:585-589.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
The Wrong Patient
Chassin and Becher
ANN INTERN MED 2002;136:826-833.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Quality of Life: Erosions and Opportunities Under Managed Care
Morreim
J Law Med Ethics 2000;28:144-158.
Coordination of Specialty Referrals and Physician Satisfaction With Referral Care
Forrest et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000;154:499-506.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Somatization Reconsidered: Incorporating the Patient's Experience of Illness
Epstein et al.
Arch Intern Med 1999;159:215-222.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Interspecialty Communication: Overcoming Philosophies and Disincentives
Bowman
Arch Fam Med 1995;4:401-401.
ABSTRACT
|
