Referral

Referral refers to the process of transferring a patient from one healthcare provider or specialist to another for further evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. It involves the recommendation or request made by the referring healthcare professional to the receiving healthcare professional or specialist.

The need for a referral may arise when a patient’s condition requires specialized expertise, advanced diagnostic procedures, or specialized treatments that are beyond the scope of referring healthcare provider’s practice. Referrals can occur within the same healthcare facility or between different healthcare facilities, depending on the resources and services available.