The Canadian Medical Association 2011 Referral Survey found physicians across the country continue to experience issues in the referral-consultation process.
Incomplete referrals can cause frustration and delays for patients, resulting in longer wait times to see specialists and get the answers they need about their health.
Building a Better Referral
The Saskatchewan Referral/Consult Checklist aims to improve standards of care for physician practice, and support better access to care for Saskatchewan residents. Developed by doctors, this tool will help to ensure the right information is included in referral and consult letters, telephone consults, and dictation notes.
Referral/Consult Checklist
How to Use the Checklist - Tips
The Saskatchewan Referral/Consult Checklist was developed in collaboration with the Quality Referral Evolution (QuRE) Committee which is comprised of representatives from the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and
Alberta Health Services. The QuRE initiative has now expanded to joint partnerships with Saskatchewan, the Kootenay Region of British Columbia and Ontario.
"Good communication between physicians in the referral-consultation process not only facilitates timely access to care for patients, but can also be exceptionally satisfying to the physicians themselves as they consult with each other about how best to address a patient's needs. A "good" consultation begins
before the consultation and continues
thereafter." (The CFPC and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, 2009)
Related Resources:
An Automated Referral Template was also developed to assist physicians in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Referral Process. More information can be found under Automated Referral Template.
Please forward your Referral and Consult Tools feedback to
SKconsultationtools@health.gov.sk.ca
