Referral
Referral
Referral (pronounced: rɪˈfɜːrəl) is a term used in the medical field to describe the process where a healthcare provider sends a patient to another healthcare provider for further treatment or consultation. The term originates from the Latin word "referre", which means "to bring back".
Definition
A Referral is a written request from one health professional to another health professional or health facility, usually a specialist, asking them to diagnose, review, or treat a patient for a specific condition.
Types of Referrals
There are several types of referrals in the healthcare system, including:
- Self-referral: This is when a patient decides to see a specialist without a recommendation from a primary care provider.
- Provider referral: This is when a primary care provider sends a patient to a specialist for further treatment.
- Tertiary referral: This is when a specialist sends a patient to another specialist for further treatment or consultation.
Process
The referral process typically involves the following steps:
- The primary care provider identifies a potential health issue that requires specialist attention.
- The primary care provider writes a referral letter detailing the patient's condition and treatment history.
- The patient is then sent to the specialist with the referral letter.
- The specialist reviews the referral letter, conducts further tests if necessary, and then decides on the best course of treatment.
Related Terms
- Referring physician: The healthcare provider who initiates the referral.
- Referred patient: The individual who is sent to a specialist for further treatment or consultation.
- Referral letter: The document written by the referring physician detailing the patient's condition and treatment history.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Referral
- Wikipedia's article - Referral
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