What is the purpose of a referral?

The purpose of a referral is to direct a patient to a specialist for additional care. When a primary care provider determines that a patient requires more specialized treatment or diagnostic evaluation that exceeds the scope of their practice, they will refer the patient to a specialist. This ensures that the patient receives the appropriate level of care tailored to their specific medical needs. By doing so, healthcare providers maintain a continuum of care and allow for more comprehensive management of a patient's health issues.

In situations where a patient may not require a specialist's intervention or when a primary care provider can manage the patient’s condition adequately, a referral is not necessary. Likewise, scheduling follow-up appointments and documenting patient history are important administrative tasks but do not encapsulate the primary function of a referral, which is to guide the patient toward specialized medical care.