Toward better care coordination through improved communication with referring physicians.
BACKGROUND
Effective care coordination requires good physician-to-physician communication. The authors evaluated a new tool called the Communication with Referring Physicians Practice Improvement Module (CRP-PIM), which assesses and encourages improved communication among physician consultants and referring physicians.


METHODS
Eight-hundred three consultants (internists and subspecialists) completed a practice system survey and were rated by 12,212 referring physicians on 13 communication processes using a six-point scale. Consultants received an interactive performance report and selected targets for improvement. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, t tests, and factor analysis.


RESULTS
Mean overall rating was high, at 5.53 (SD 0.23, range 2.46-5.95); consultants still identified areas for improvement. The generalizability coefficient for overall ratings was 0.78. Factor analysis supported two categories of ratings associated with consultants' gender, subspecialty, residency performance ratings, and specific practice system features.


CONCLUSIONS
The CRP-PIM provides a psychometrically viable measure and encourages consultants to improve communication with referring physicians.
Hess
Brian J
BJ
American Board of Internal Medicine, 510 Walnut Street, Suite 1700, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA. bhess@abim.org
Lynn
Lorna A
LA
Holmboe
Eric S
ES
Lipner
Rebecca S
RS
D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires