Internal Medicine — Foundation of Discipline

F3 Consulting specialists and other health professionals, synthesizing recommendations, and integrating these into the care plan

Key Features:
- This EPA focuses on appropriate utilization, communication and collaboration with other health care professionals. It includes recognizing the need for consultation, developing a well-defined question for the consultant, and incorporating recommendations into the care plan. It may include coordinating the involvement of multiple consultants and other health care professionals but does not include balancing differing recommendations or identifying specialty consultation needs for complex presentations.

Assessment Plan:

Direct and/or indirect observation by supervisor, or individual being consulted

Use Form 1. Form collects information on:
- Role of observer: supervisor; physician specialist being consulted; other health professional
- Setting: ambulatory care; inpatient; emergency department

Collect 4 observations of achievement
- At least 2 from supervisor
- At least 1 from other physician specialist
- At least 1 from other health professional

Milestones

• ME 1.5. On the basis of patient-centred priorities, seek assistance to prioritize multiple competing tasks that need to be addressed

• ME 1.6. Recognize limits in abilities and scope of practice, and consult specialists and/or other health care professionals when needed

• ME 4.1. Develop and prioritize well defined questions to be addressed with a consultant or other health care professional

• ME 2.4. Incorporate consultant recommendations into diagnostic and treatment plans

• ME 4.1. Coordinate investigation, treatment, and follow-up plans when multiple physicians and healthcare professionals are involved

• ME 4.1. Ensure follow-up on the results of consultation requests and/or recommendations

• COM 5.1. Document information about patients and their medical conditions in a manner that enhances intra- and interprofessional care

• COL 1.2. Apply knowledge of the roles and scopes of practice of other health care professionals for optimal patient care

• COL 1.3. Discuss with the patient and family any plan for involving other health care professionals, including other physicians, in the patient’s care