title: Improving communication with specialists. The case of an oncology clinic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate how much information a specialist oncologist receives at the time of initial assessment of referred patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective audit of 103 new patients referred to the Department of Radiation Oncology, Westmead Hospital--based on referral letters; availability of blood, radiology and histopathology investigations; and the use of interpreters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty of 103 patients had a referral letter; a positive correlation was found between the provision of a letter and the availability of the result of a critical investigation. Results were not available at the time of assessment for a third of the investigations. Interpreter use was inadequate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The communication of information to specialists can be improved, and will help optimise the delivery of specialist services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Westmead Hospital, NSW.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D012017:Referral and Consultation