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Principles of medical consultation etiquette

Principles of medical consultation etiquette
  1. Determine the question ("How can I help you in your care of patient X?").
  2. Triage urgency of the consultation (emergency versus urgent versus elective).
  3. Gather your own data (thorough history and focused physical examination).
  4. Brevity (focus your consult notes on assessment/recommendations).
  5. Specificity (goal-oriented recommendations).
  6. Plan ahead (contingency plans for anticipated future problems).
  7. Honor "turf" (be careful to address the problem for which you were called).
  8. Teach with tact (viewing every consultation as a teaching, and marketing, opportunity).
  9. Personal contact (respond directly to the requesting clinician).
  10. Follow-up (including your ongoing role and knowing when to sign off).
Reproduced with permission from: Meier DE, Beresford L. Consultation etiquette challenges palliative care to be on its best behavior. J Palliat Med 2007; 10:7. Copyright © 2007 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers.
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