A Fax Information Sheet for “On Request” Endoscopy
by Darrell K. Reed, MD

For the past several years primary care providers and subspecialists alike have faced many challenges and problems resulting from changes such as managed care. In the “old days” a consultant would meet the patient in his/her office and then formulate his clinical strategy. In our “brave new world” the referring physician decides which procedure he want and the gastroenterologist meets a “stranger” in the GI lab with scope in hand. We have been trained to believe that a cognitive being is attached to the part of the instrument where the dials and knobs are. Well, so much for the “good old days.” We also know, however, that it is not the same as looking at a radiograph and reporting the location and type of a fractured bone. In addition to this, certain basic history and physical exam requisites must be met before we sedate and instrument the patient.

In answer to this problem, our office staff constructed a basic patient fact sheet for the previously unseen patient presenting for a procedure. The referring physician and his/her clinical assistant simply fills in the blanks on the form we have provided for them and faxes them back to our office. It is not meant to take the place of our well ingrained history and physical skills, but acts as a springboard which not only accelerates the process but makes the already apprehensive patient feel far less like a stranger being faced by another stranger holding a rather ominous appearing instrument in his hand.

This document is one that we have found useful. It helps establish a two-way line of communication that hopefully helps to make an ever increasing impersonal, electronic world a little more comfortable for patient and doctors alike. Your comments and suggestions are, as always, welcome.

SAMPLE GI PROCEDURE REQUEST FORM

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