What is referred to as the process by which patients are referred to a healthcare provider?

Referral services are the systematic processes that guide patients to the appropriate healthcare providers for further evaluation, treatment, or specialized care. This process is crucial in ensuring that patients receive the right healthcare based on their specific needs or conditions. When a primary care physician identifies a need for specialized services, they will initiate a referral, often providing documentation that outlines the patient's medical history and present concerns. This helps ensure a smooth transition of care and that the patient gets the right expertise promptly.

While patient consultation involves discussions between healthcare providers and patients, and appointment scheduling is the administrative task of booking visits, neither encompasses the broader concept of facilitating the transition of care to another provider that referral services do. Healthcare navigation, while important in helping patients find their way through the healthcare system, does not directly refer to the formal process of transferring a patient to another provider. Therefore, referral services accurately identifies the key process involved in directing patients to the right healthcare resources.