Dos and don'ts for GP/specialist collaboration

Managing interdisciplinary care

Successful collaboration allows practices to achieve superior outcomes and maximum efficiency, while lowering stress and increasing production for both practices. The goal is to focus on the total treatment process (both clinical and nonclinical) to create a superior experience for the patient, the specialist, and the general dentist/practitioner (GP).

Agree to communicate regularly. Specialists and restorative doctors should agree to a communication plan. Some prefer the immediacy of emails or secure websites that are designed to handle confidential information. Others may prefer the formality of actual letters. At times, phone calls may be necessary to convey complex information or to discuss urgent situations.

Don't assume it's the other practice's responsibility. Ongoing communication between the two offices is critical for successful patient outcomes. Nothing can be more destructive to the GP/specialist collaboration than patients having a piece of information that wasn't properly conveyed to the referring doctor or the specialist. When miscommunication occurs, patients have doubts about not only the competencies of both practices but also whether they should move forward with recommended treatment.