"Thank You for Seeing This Patient": Studying the Quality of Communication between Physicians.

Communication between physicians about patients was examined in a pilot study when 15 family physicians and specialists were asked to describe the most recent consultation in which they had been involved. In 40% of the consultations discussed the communication seemed to have been clear, and both physicians involved were satisfied with the process; but in 40% communication was confused, and in the remaining 20% outright conflict was identified. Skillful communication between physicians may be important to ensure optimal patient care, and the study revealed some barriers to effective consultations.