Professionalism & Management | Communication | Communicating with professional colleagues

Communicating with professional colleagues
Session overview
Description
This session looks at the need for good communication between professionals. The importance of providing sufficient information will be explained as well as the nature of the information required for effective communication with others treating the patient.

Learning objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• describe how to communicate with colleagues both within the practice and in a hospital or salaried service
• explain the indications for referral to dental care professionals (DCPs)
• list the reasons for providing information to reception staff
• refer information to practice staff to help ensure smooth patient management
• explain the importance of following up referrals and list ways in which follow-up arrangements can be made

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should:
Have completed the following e-Den sessions in Module 1 Patient assessment/Good practice:

• Negotiating consent for treatment (141-0034)
• How and when to refer patients (141-0038)

Be familiar with the following:

• GDC Scope of Practice
• GDC Standards for the Dental Team

A referral from the dentist to a colleague involves passing the duty of care for a patient for a particular prescribed item of treatment in order to benefit the patient and their care.

The request must be for treatment that can be delegated to the colleague, within their scope of practice.

This session will:

• explain the importance of accurate and effective communication between healthcare professionals
• review how information requesting the treatment should be written on the dental records so that colleagues are aware of the precise nature of the prescription
• provide advice about the medico-legal aspects of practice communication
• offer suggestions about how to ensure information about the administration of a patient’s care is effective
• detail the importance of following up on referrals and suggest ways in which follow-ups can be carried out effectively

This session looks at referrals within a dental practice. Referral of patients to secondary care is covered within e-Den session Module 1 Patient assessment/Good practice/How and when to refer patients (141-0038).