Risk Management: Guidelines for Specialist Feedback
Direct communication helps to establish clear responsibility for monitoring or follow up and avoids the false reliance of one physician upon the other that the patient is being followed. Failure in communication between the PCP and specialist as to who will monitor and follow-up with the patient on a continuing basis is a common source of liability exposure. Recommendations include:
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Answer a consult in a timely fashion.
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Speak with the PCP before and after the consult.
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Respond to the consult according to the type of consult requested, as listed above.
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Explain to the patient your role in his/her care.
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Avoid inflammatory verbal or written remarks about subsequent care and treatment.
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Provide the patient with feedback as to your findings and their therapeutic options and whether further studies or follow-up are indicated, explaining why they’re needed.
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Do not consult another physician without first conferring with the PCP.