Physicians' Experiences and Beliefs Regarding Informal Consultation

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Abstract
INFORMAL or "curbside" consultation has long been an important part of medical practice,1 yet little is known about physicians' experiences with informal consultation and their perceptions of its role in medical practice. Published reports have focused on the experiences of a few infectious disease and endocrinology specialists in a limited range of practice settings.2-6 Moreover, current managed care strategies that emphasize primary care and limit referrals to specialists may stimulate greater use of informal consultation.7 To encourage more efficient and appropriate use of referrals and consultations, some managed care organizations and medical groups have organized informal consultation by designating clinicians to provide informal clinical advice to colleagues. In addition, efforts to improve physicians' access to clinical advice have led some professional organizations and an academic medical center to sponsor Internet-based clinical discussion groups8 or telephone consultation services.9