Consultations Flashcards
- Refers to the main manifestation of a doctor-patient relationship wherein a doctor is sought out for health advice, diagnosis and treatment.
- Also a type of service provided by a doctor/s or specialist/s whose opinion or advice regarding evaluation & management of a specific problem is requested by another health care provider or appropriate source.
CONSULTATION
Main Purposes of Consultation:
- Recommend care for a specific condition or problem (interaction between a doctor and patient)
- Determine whether to accept responsibility for ongoing management of the patient’s overall care or for the care of a specific condition or problem (interaction between a doctor and consultant)
Reasons for Consultation:
- Helping another doctor
- Second opinion has been requested by the primary doctor
- Second opinion has been requested by the patient
- Second opinion has been requested by a third-party payer
- Other third parties
- Disgruntled patient or family
- Inappropriate consultations
Occurs when a patient with a chronic condition is admitted to a hospital for an acute problem wherein it is usually assumed that the chronic condition is being managed by other doctors, because it is considered inappropriate for a consultant to request for another consultation on a different problem for a patient who is not directly under their management
INSTITUTIONAL ELITISM
Once a patient is admitted in a hospital, each and every system or organ that is abnormal is immediately consulted on by experts including those that focus on problems that are irrelevant to the current clinical setting.
CHURNING
I. General Principles of Consultation
Refers to the reason the consultation was needed and requires direct communication to minimize the potential for any misunderstandings between the consultant and the referring doctor
DETERMINE THE QUESTION
I. General Principles of Consultation
A consultant must determine whether the consultation is emergent, urgent, or elective/routine.
ESTABLISH URGENCY
I. General Principles of Consultation
Pertains to the consultant’s need to obtain independent historical, laboratory, and physical examination data and not only rely on the assessment of data that are already included in the medical record.
LOOK FOR YOURSELF
I. General Principles of Consultation
Consultation notes in a patient’s medical record should not repeat in full detail the data that was already recorded by the primary doctor.
BE AS BRIEF AS APPROPRIATE
I. General Principles of Consultation
Consultation notes should be goal-oriented and expressed succinctly
BE SPECIFIC AND CONCISE
I. General Principles of Consultation
Supplying alternative options for potential problems are necessary since a patient’s status is dynamic and the initial recommendation may prove to be irrelevant 24 hours after they were made.
PROVIDE CONTINGENCY PLANS
I. General Principles of Consultation
A consultant must maintain a subsidiary role even if he/she has a responsibility to the patient since that responsibility should not be expressed through arguments or discussion with the primary doctor which may be interpreted as competing for the attention or loyalty of the px
HONOR YOUR TURF
I. General Principles of Consultation
Consultants must make an extra effort to share their knowledge and expertise without condescension as this reflects negatively in the relationship between the consultant and the referring doctor
TEACH WITH TACT
I. General Principles of Consultation
Direct personal contact with the primary doctor after a consultation is best, especially for recommendations that may be crucial or controversial
TALK IS CHEAP AND EFFECTIVE
I. General Principles of Consultation
Once the consultation notes have been completed and signed, he/she may review the medical record/chart to be sure that crucial recommendations have been acted on, and that important orders have been carried out
FOLLOW-UP