Bert, Again this is where a care coordinator can do the job of getting all the papers, contacting the parent and school and having them fill them out right then ( we can fax a copy to the school and call back next day. It never worked out to have the parents take it).
Now, for learning disabilyity, develpmetnal delay, etc, we are on the receiving end of the consults so this assures we get what we need and get to see the patient, work with the school and follow through as the year goes on. It works just as well when we make referrals out, too.
Once in a while our coordinator will get frustrated at making arrangements and having parents ask to change them over and over and over but that is rare and we all give her big pats on the back when she gripes.
One big benefit of this is that she knows all the key players, builds relationships with them and gets a lot more cooperation that a cold caller might.
Our motive is to free the parents up to have more of a normal life and let the medical home handle the logistics.
It may seem like an expense but as I mentioned before the role more than earns its keep in increased efficiency and closure of concerns, increased patient and parent satisfaction and overall increased referrals.
Lois
