Problematic Communications Between PCPs & Specialists

Investigators from Colorado, Massachusetts, and Vermont sought to develop and validate a template to promote brief but high-quality communication between primary care clinicians (PCPs) and consulting specialists. They interviewed physicians at 30 pediatric primary care practices and 5 pediatric specialty practices in academic and community settings in central Massachusetts to identify the optimal elements for ideal brief communication. This information, along with findings from previous studies, was used to generate a list of the most important communication elements. The list, consisting of six key “referral” (PCP to specialist) and 12 key “consultation” (specialist to PCP) content elements, was incorporated …