When a doctor fails to refer a patient to a specialist on time or at all, they may be considered to have acted negligently. This is because healthcare professionals are required to provide patients with reasonable care, which includes recognizing when a specialist’s knowledge and experience are needed.
If a doctor fails to refer a patient to a specialist, the patient may suffer serious consequences, including:
Worsening of a condition
If a doctor’s expertise is insufficient to provide a patient with appropriate care, they need to refer the patient to a specialist so they can receive timely treatment. Failing or delaying treatment can worsen a condition.
For instance, if a patient visits a doctor with severe chest pain that worsens with activity and other concerning symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness and sweating, the case needs to be referred to a cardiologist for further medical evaluation. Failure to do so may result in a delay in diagnosing a possible heart condition. Consequently, the patient’s condition may have worsened by the time they receive specialized care.
If a doctor suspects a blood disorder or abnormal blood cell counts based on a patient’s test results, a hematologist should be involved to give an accurate diagnosis. If the doctor fails to refer the patient, their condition may worsen to a life-threatening situation, and so forth.
Additional medical expenses
Failure to refer can cause a patient to spend more on receiving treatment. When a condition worsens, there is a need for more comprehensive and intensive care, which can be costly.
These are a few examples of what a patient may suffer when their doctor fails to refer them when needed. If you have experienced this form of negligence, learn more to determine your next steps.
