Do you have a dear or near one in their sixties? If yes, you must have understood that individuals above sixty need far more care than the younger ones, right?

To be very honest with you, I realized it a bit late. My mother and I used to see multiple signs of health concerns, but we never consulted with a doctor. What it did to my mother was horrendous!

One day, when we finally did our research on primary care in Rancho Mirage, the doctor on duty gave us an urgent appointment. You wouldn’t believe the doctor actually scheduled us for a same-day appointment with the specialist.

Well, it was because my mother was not able to breathe properly, her heart rate was increased, and there was excruciating pain in her limbs.

In my mother’s case, the situation was on the worse side. However, in case you or the one you care about finds symptoms that don’t go away on their own, it is best to consult with the primary care doctor. The PCP (primary care provider) either sends you back with the prescription or refers you to specialty care.

Once you visit the specialist, there is a lot to learn from them. Here in this blog, I have shared my experiences as the caretaker of my mother. By the end of this blog, you will have information on all that is in the table of contents.

Before we start the blog, let’s look at the medical review and the editorial information

The blog is for general educational purposes, and it doesn’t replace personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment plans. However, the referrals are the decisions of a qualified and trained medical professional who thoroughly understands the requirements of the individual’s body and medical history.

What is Specialty Care?

So, let’s start from the beginning. Once I took my mother to the primary care facility and services at Indus Medical Associates, the doctor referred us to a specialist. Since we didn’t know anything about it, my mother asked, “What is specialty care?” To which the doctor explained to us that it is medical care provided by clinicians with advanced training in dealing with a specific area of medicine. For example, dermatology, orthopedics, and cardiology.

So, here is what you must know:

They are the first point of contact for medical help, and their main body of work involves the following areas;

• Preventive measures

• Routine (seasonal or common) illnesses

• Management of chronic health conditions

• Screenings, blood work, and X-rays

• Other ongoing health issues

Interestingly, when the scope of the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention isn't aligned with the expertise of the PCP, they ask the patient to go to the specialist. Okay, so here is the thing to remember: the specialists are recommended or referred by the primary care professionals.  

Another rule of thumb that we understood over time is:

Referrals or recommendations to the specialist are not only made when the patient has something seriously wrong in the body.

Most Common Reasons Your PCP May Refer You to a Specialist at 60s

Referrals are needed according to the medical situation. And, interestingly, there could be several reasons to determine the need for a referral. It is the PCP’s duty to consider symptoms, examination findings, test results, medical history, response to treatment, and overall risk involvement, and then refer the patient to the specialist.

Some common reasons for a referral are mentioned below.

Reason 1: Specialized Evaluation of Your Symptoms

When the symptoms are not explainable and persist for more than 24 hours, it is time to consider getting treated by specialty care. For example, your PCP, based on your symptoms, can refer you to a neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, or cardiologist. The main aim of a referral is to find out the cause of the symptoms and then determine the most suitable treatment plan.

Reason 2: Procedure or Test to Find Out the Cause

When the PCP needs a specific or particular treatment, he refers the patient to the specialty care providers. This is for three reasons. First, specialized training is required to use the equipment for the procedure. Second, trained medical professionals are always the right ones to carry out the procedures. And lastly, it is about the expertise in handling the procedures.

Reason 3: Your Primary Care Wants Approval from an Expert

At times, a good and responsible primary care doctor seeks help from the specialist. This is so that the specialist can add another perspective, clarify the options for treatment, or validate if the procedure is appropriate.

Reason 4: When the Health Concern Needs Coordinated Care

Patients above sixty mostly come with a number of health problems. That is where specialists come into the picture. When they coordinate with each other, the results of the treatment plans and diagnosis are healthier and more rewarding. Also, while working together, these doctors reduce the chances of duplicated testing, gaps in follow-ups, and medication problems.

Checklist: Let’s Prepare for a Specialist Appointment at 60s

Right after getting a referral, take an active role in preparing for your appointment. Whether you are deciding between urgent care vs primary care or learning what is specialty care, these steps can help you make the most of your specialist visit.

A Special Note for You: My mother did pretty well after seeking a specialist’s services. From her experience, I have learned that it is better to understand your body and keep a close check on the symptoms. Once you prepare yourself for the appointment, it becomes more rewarding. So, always ensure you are ready for the appointment when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Do you always need a PCP’s referral to consult with a specialist?

Answer: No, you don’t really need a PCP’s referral all the time. There are some insurance plans that directly work with specialists. However, other insurance plans require a referral from the PCP.

Question 2: Does being recommended to a specialist determine the seriousness of the disease?

Answer: It doesn’t mean that you have a serious health condition if a recommendation or referral is made for you. However, referrals are used when the patient needs expert-level evaluation, advanced diagnosis, or additional treatment advice.

Question 3: Can I continue consulting with my primary care doctor after consulting with a specialist?

Answer: Yes, you can continue with the PCP even after consulting with the specialist. Interestingly, you can go to a specialist while seeking medical help from the primary care doctor. This is because the PCP manages overall health while the specialist addresses particular health concerns.

Question 4: What are the best ways to get a specialist’s appointment?

Answer: You can ask the PCP for a referral. Also, you can consult with a specialist at Indus Medical Associates after scheduling an appointment. Contacting the specialist’s office and confirming insurance requirements are other ways to book an appointment with a specialist.

Sources

·        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Stroke symptoms and emergency warning signs. (CDC)

·        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Heart attack symptoms and emergency care. (CDC)

·        Peer-reviewed research on primary care specialty referrals and referral completion. (PubMed Central (PMC))

·        Indus Medical Associates: Primary care services, team, referrals, and chronic-care information. (Indus Medical Associates)