Reminder or recall?
The practice manager contacted the general practitioner's medical defence organization for advice. The practice manager was told that, from a legal point of view, there was no obligation on the practice to utilize any reminder system for routine investigations, although the practice may consider that the use of a reminder system was a useful service to offer their patients and part of good quality care. In this case, the adviser informed the practice manager that there was no legal duty to take any further action to 'remind' the patient that her Pap test was now due. Indeed, all Australian states and territories have cervical screening registers that can provide reminders to patients about Pap tests.
Bird
Sara
S
MDA National. sbird@mdanational.com.au
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D033002:Duty to Recontact / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017010:Reminder Systems / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*