Guidelines for neurological consultation

Referral to specialists for care which requires expert knowledge is a common occurrence in primary care. The role of the nurse practitioners is often to make judgments about the need for such referrals, seek appropriate specialists, prepare records and the patient for the referral and maintain contact with patient once expert advice and diagnosis is complete. This article specifically addresses the referral of patients with neurologic problems. Emphasis is placed upon general rules relating to how to refer and how to determine the need for referral. Some common complaints of ambulatory proteins which may need referral such as headache, dizziness the difference between those complaints which need referral and those that do not.