Term: Ambulatory Consultation Rate

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2020-05-19

Definition:

The average number of ambulatory consultations per resident (all ages) in a given year. Consultations are a subset of ambulatory visits: they occur when one provider refers a patient to another provider (usually a specialist or surgeon) because of the complexity, obscurity, or seriousness of the patient’s condition or when the patient requests a second opinion. Referrals can originate from physicians, nurses, or other allied health professionals, and can be to physicians or nurse practitioners.

The consult rate is the best indicator of access to specialty care.

Related concepts 

• Health Indicators: Indicators of Health Status and Healthcare Use

Related terms 

• Ambulatory Consultation Visit Rates
• Ambulatory Visits to Specialists / Ambulatory Specialist Visits
• Consultations (Ambulatory)
• General Practitioner (GP) / Family Practitioner (FP)

References 

• Fransoo R, Mahar A, The Need to Know Team, Anderson A, Prior H, Koseva I, McCulloch S, Jarmasz J, Burchill S. The 2019 RHA Indicators Atlas. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2019. [Report] [Summary] [Updates and Errata] [Additional Materials] (View)

Term used in 

• Fransoo R, Martens P, The Need to Know Team, Burland E, Prior H, Burchill C, Chateau D, Walld R. Sex Differences in Health Status, Health Care Use, and Quality of Care: A Population-Based Analysis for Manitoba's Regional Health Authorities. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2005. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)