Referral in Education and Medicine

Abstract

Referral is a complex problem for generalist and specialist professionals. This study explored how generalist and specialist physicians and educators handle referrals. A content analysis of interview responses shows: (1) the extent of agreement on grounds for referral and causes of disagreement; (2) how practitioners handle disagreements; and (3) how clients deal with transitions during referral. The results indicate that educators view referral as a legalistic process, that physicians accept a limited specialist role more readily, and that educators have difficulty seeing their peers as responsible professional colleagues. The differences may be explained by the diverse systems of ethics and norms of practice among educators and physicians, and by the different historical roots of these systems.