[Are responsibilities conveyable through a feedback letter?]

PubMed, vol. 168

Abstract

A feedback letter from a medical specialist to a general practitioner above all contains relevant medical information. It is not meant to impose new diagnostic and treatment responsibilities on a general practitioner. Yet, the recommendations a feedback letter may contain are not without obligation. The general practitioner is expected to consider whether he will implement the recommendations or not. It is important to realise that general practitioners do not always read long feedback letters. In addition, it is recommended that medical specialists and general practitioners do not refrain from contacting each other, particularly in case of important diagnostic or treatment issues. A mere feedback letter may be insufficient to convey relevant information.

Authors 2

1. Aart C Hendriks Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Universiteit Leiden, Faculteit der Rechtsgeleerdheid, Leiden. Afd. Publiekrecht

   Contact: a.c.hendriks@law.leidenuniv.nl

2. Wouter de Ruijter
   Affiliation as printed

   Gezondheidscentrum Ommoord, onderdeel van Zovida, Rotterdam