Communication is the key to many successes in life. Any type of relationship will ultimately erode if communication breaks down, or even if it is just not consistent or clear. As optometrists, we often think we have communicated because we explained our issue. We simply assume the receiver of our communication understood. However, when attending to the medical eye care of our patients, it never hurts to overcommunicate.
Studies show that 68 percent of specialists received no communication from the referring Primary Care Physician (PCP) and 38 percent of those specialists stated that information on why the PCP was referring the patient to them would have been very helpful.1 Timely communication is also important so that the specialist can assess the case prior to seeing the patient.
To ensure your communication with specialists is clear and easy to interpret, include these three things:
- Why you are referring the patient. Be specific, even if you do not know the diagnosis.
- What you are doing. If you’re managing other eye diseases with this patient, note that the patient is under your care for “name the disease” and that you will be following them for a certain interval of time (i.e. – 6 months).
- How you would like the specialist to proceed. State if you want the specialist to return the patient, or take over treatment of the diagnosis for which the patient was referred. For example, if you refer a patient to a glaucoma specialist, state if you want a surgical consultation only, or if you would like for the specialist to assume care of the patient. It seems simple, but due to medicolegal reasons, specialists have to assume care of the patient unless you state otherwise in the report.
The optometrist who is the best communicator usually ends up winning the most medical referrals. By communicating with the PCPs and specialty physicians, you include yourself in the healthcare network. Once primary care doctors become familiar with your name and your quality of care, do not be surprised if they start referring you new patients. Many busy optometrists take the path of least resistance and let days go by without typing notes in their patients’ electronic medical records (EMRs) and sending their reports. Clear and timely communication needs to be a priority for your patients, and you will reap the benefits in more referrals.
1. Gandhi, Tejal K., Dean F. Sittig, Michael Franklin, Andrew J. Sussman, David G. Fairchild, and David W. Bates. “Communication Breakdown in the Outpatient Referral Process.” J GEN INTERN MED 15.9 (2000): 626-31. Web. 17 Oct. 2015.
