Referring physicians should not forward which of the following types of information to consultants:
A.
History of the problem, including test results and exam findings.
B.
Relevant family history.
C.
All known allergies.
D.
An order for the appropriate procedure.
True or False: Communication in limited relationships should always be directed back to the referring physician.
True
False
Which of the following is a good sign that a primary care physician (PCP) should consider bringing in a consultant?
The case is an unusual one that the PCP has not seen often.
The PCP has exhausted all available diagnostic tools.
The PCP is repeatedly seeking "curbside consults."
All of the above.
True or False: A physician who offers a "curbside consult" is acting on an unofficial basis and is therefore immune from any potential liability.
An urgent request for a consultation should be:
Faxed.
E-mailed.
Telephoned.
Any of the above.
True or False: When requesting a consult, the referring physician should always make clear whether it is for evaluation only or for evaluation and treatment.
After seeing the patient, the consultant should:
Fax a short form with diagnosis and intended plan to the referring physician the same day, and get the full report to him or her as soon as possible.
Give a short form with diagnosis and intended plan to the patient to give to the referring physician at the patient’s next visit.
Fax a copy of his or her notes to the referring physician within 48 hours. It is not necessary to provide the full report before the patient returns to the PCP.
Document the interaction and provide it to the referring physician upon request.
True or False: The consulting physician can assume that the patient will forward all findings to the patient’s primary care physician.
When a patient is referred for consultation, it is important that both physicians:
Discuss the patient’s impressions of the care provided by the other physician.
Discuss treatment boundaries with the patient, and document that discussion in the medical record.
Assume primary care responsibility.
Let the patient decide who assumes primary care responsibility.
True or False: Referring physicians are not always able to discuss the risks and benefits of procedures recommended by consultants.
