Question

Describe two (2) different appropriate referral source and the protocols that could accompany the referral process

Answer 1

Referral sources

• General practitioners

Patient referral to other setting is a part of health care.General practitioners are those doctors who are not specialist in a certain area of medicine.They are the one's whom the patients meet primarily.They assess the conditions of the patient and provide regular health care.At times,practitioners refer the patients to specialised doctors of a certain field of medicine.

• Practice nurses

Nurses who provide care over general practice (surgeries) and work next to doctors,pharmacists and dietitians are called as practice nurses.They can also initiate referral to non-medical providers such as clergy man,physical therapist etc  when client needs are unable to be met by the nurse and other members of the team.

The protocols

General practitioners

• The reason for referral should be recorded in written form in patient's medical record.
• Explain the need for a referral to the patients and clarify their doubts.Document that the referral has been communicated to the patient.
• An appointment should be fixed with the referring specialist before the patient leaves.
• Discuss the condition of the patient,the reason for referring,the test results with the specialist and need to be done for the patient.
• Followup the patient during referral period.
• Review the recommendations by the specialist act on it without fail.

Practice nurses

• Assess the need for a referral and explain the need for a referral to the patient.
• A referral letter should be given to the patient and is to be documented in the patient's health record.
• The nurse can directly refer the patient to the public hospital outpatient departments as it is not affected by Medicare rebate
• Feedback should be given to the referring specialist regarding the patient.