Improving communication with specialists. The case of an oncology clinic

To investigate how much information a specialist oncologist receives at the time of initial assessment of referred patients.

Prospective audit of 103 new patients referred to the Department of Radiation Oncology, Westmead Hospital--based on referral letters; availability of blood, radiology and histopathology investigations; and the use of interpreters.

Eighty of 103 patients had a referral letter; a positive correlation was found between the provision of a letter and the availability of the result of a critical investigation. Results were not available at the time of assessment for a third of the investigations. Interpreter use was inadequate.

The communication of information to specialists can be improved, and will help optimise the delivery of specialist services.