Consultation
The WSMA believes that physicians should obtain consultation whenever they
believe that it would be helpful in the care of the patient or when
requested by the patient or the patient's representative. When a patient
is referred to a consultant, the referring physician should provide a
history of the case and such other information as the consultant may need,
and the consultant should advise the referring physician of the results of
the consultant's examination and recommendations relating to the
management of the case as soon as possible. A physician selected by a
patient for the purpose of obtaining a second opinion on an elective
procedure is not obligated to advise the patient's regular physician of
the findings or recommendations unless requested by the patient. (JC
8.03-87; JC Rpt C, A-93) (Reaffirmed A-23)
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Abbreviations for House of Delegates report origination:
EC – Executive Committee; BT – Board of Trustees; CPA – Council on
Professional Affairs; JC – Judicial Council; CHS – Community and Health
Services