It should come as no surprise but, my friends, it works both ways. I am a specialist and
see new patients by direct referral only. When new patients have had lab work, pulmonary
function tests, sinus Xrays etc perhaps only 10-15% of the primary docs have forwarded this
information prior to the initial visit. Almost never does the referral doc send along
a list of previous meds and I too end up asking the patient "was it a white bottle with
a blue top? Did you inhale it or stick it up your nose, or something else? " etc.
Been in this specialty for 30 years and the only thing that's improved is
now when I call the referring docs (it's a pain and need luck to get through) their
office can belatedly fax the information to me. Before fax machines it was write it down
or wait for snail mail.
From my end the primary doc gets a custom dictated referral letter (non AC generated) faxed within
24 hrs of the patients visit. I must admit follow up information is sent only if I feel there has
been a major change. Many, many thanks to Amazing Charts for facilitating these follow up faxes
as using the letter writer and including the patient's "Plan" has eased my burden.
While we are into pet peeves, another one is the other specialists I refer to who then send
me a 5 page computer generated consult letter. For example, a local ENT doc checking skin
turgor, clubbing, mentation, babinski?? Really? Gimme a break. After wading through boilerplate
computer verbage I might find where it's mentioned what's actually wrong with the patient.
