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Published on: June 20, 2020
Development and validation of a tool to improve paediatric referral/consultation communication
Christopher J Stille1, Kathleen M Mazor, Vanessa Meterko
1Department of Pediatrics,University of ColoradoSchool of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA. stille.christopher@tchden.org
Insights
A new template improves communication between pediatric primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists. Key elements like specific questions and exam findings enhance referral value, benefiting patient care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Clinical Communication
- Medical Informatics
Background:
- Effective communication between primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists is crucial for optimal patient care.
- Current referral communication often lacks key elements, potentially reducing its value.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a template promoting high-quality, brief communication between pediatric PCPs and consulting specialists.
- To identify essential content elements for valuable interphysician communication in pediatric referrals.
Main Methods:
- Iterative development of a one-page communication template with input from pediatric PCPs and specialists.
- Review of 206 referrals by trained clinicians to code content and rate communication value.
- Analysis of the relationship between content elements and perceived referral value.
Main Results:
- Most identified content elements were associated with increased communication value.
- Referrals from PCPs to specialists were most valuable when including specific questions and/or physical exam findings.
- Referrals from specialists to PCPs were most valuable when including brief educational content for the PCP.
Conclusions:
- A concise set of communication elements can be effectively incorporated into a template for pediatric PCP-to-specialist referrals.
- Implementing such a template has the potential to enhance the value of interphysician communication.
Objective:
To develop a template to promote brief but high-quality communication between paediatric primary care clinicians and consulting specialists.
Methods:
Through an iterative process with academic and community-based paediatric primary care providers and specialists, the authors identified what content elements would be of value when communicating around referrals. The authors then developed a one-page template to encourage both primary care and specialty clinicians to include these elements when communicating about referrals. Trained clinician reviewers examined a sample of 206 referrals from community primary care providers (PCPs) to specialists in five paediatric specialties at an academic medical centre, coding communication content and rating the overall value of the referral communication. The relationship between the value ratings and each content element was examined to determine which content elements contributed to perceived value.
Results:
Almost all content elements were associated with increased value as rated by clinician reviewers. The most valuable communications from PCP to specialist contained specific questions for the specialist and/or physical exam features, and the most valuable from specialist to PCP contained brief education for the PCP about the condition; all three elements were found in a minority of communications reviewed.
Conclusions:
A limited set of communication elements is suitable for a brief communication template in communication from paediatric PCPs to specialists. The use of such a template may add value to interphysician communication.
