Biomaterial Database

Referral and consultation in emergency medicine practice. 1994

A T Guertler, and J M Cortazzo, and M M Rice

Division of Emergency Medicine University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908, USA.

Since emergency physicians (EPs) frequently initiate referrals and consultations, accept patients in referral, and may provide consultation services, it is imperative that EPs fully understand these processes. Such an understanding improves communication and facilitates professional interactions and patient care. There is little published information concerning the significance and practice of referrals and consultations as they pertain to the EP. This article addresses referrals and consultations in relation to EPs. Specific recommendations are made for consultation initiation and execution. The dynamics and ethical/legal issues associated with initiating and accepting referrals and consultations are discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010817	Physician-Patient Relations	The interactions between physician and patient.	Doctor-Patient Relations,Doctor Patient Relations,Physician Patient Relations,Physician Patient Relationship,Doctor Patient Relation,Doctor-Patient Relation,Physician Patient Relation,Physician Patient Relationships,Physician-Patient Relation,Relation, Doctor Patient,Relation, Doctor-Patient,Relation, Physician Patient,Relation, Physician-Patient,Relations, Doctor Patient,Relations, Doctor-Patient,Relations, Physician Patient,Relations, Physician-Patient,Relationship, Physician Patient,Relationships, Physician Patient
D012017	Referral and Consultation	The practice of sending a patient to another program or practitioner for services or advice which the referring source is not prepared to provide.	Consultation,Gatekeepers, Health Service,Hospital Referral,Second Opinion,Consultation and Referral,Health Service Gatekeepers,Hospital Referrals,Referral,Referral, Hospital,Referrals, Hospital,Consultations,Gatekeeper, Health Service,Health Service Gatekeeper,Opinion, Second,Opinions, Second,Referrals,Second Opinions
D003253	Consultants	Individuals referred to for expert or professional advice or services.	Advisory Services,Services, Advisory,Advisory Service,Consultant,Service, Advisory
D004635	Emergency Medicine	The branch of medicine concerned with the evaluation and initial treatment of urgent and emergent medical problems, such as those caused by accidents, trauma, sudden illness, poisoning, or disasters. Emergency medical care can be provided at the hospital or at sites outside the medical facility.	Medicine, Emergency
D004992	Ethics, Medical	The principles of professional conduct concerning the rights and duties of the physician, relations with patients and fellow practitioners, as well as actions of the physician in patient care and interpersonal relations with patient families.	Medical Ethics
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014481	United States	A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.