Term: Consultations (Ambulatory)

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2020-06-18

Definition:

Consultations are a subset of ambulatory visits: they occur when one physician refers a patient to another physician (usually a specialist or surgeon) because of the complexity, obscurity or seriousness of the condition, or when the patient requests a second opinion. A consultation can be with either a GP/FP (now referred to as a family physician) or a specialist, after which the patient usually returns to their GP/FP (family physician) for ongoing management.

In Fransoo et al. (2019) consultations to family physicians, specialists and nurse practitioners were included.

For a list of tariff codes used to identify consultations, please read the Physician Consultation Visits concept.

Related concepts 

• Physician Consultation Visits

Related terms 

• Ambulatory Consultation Rate
• Ambulatory Consultations
• Ambulatory Visits - Physician
• Consultation Index (CI)
• Family Physician (FP) / Family Physicians
• General Practitioner (GP) / Family Practitioner (FP)
• Non-Consultative Care
• Physician Consultation Visits
• Specialist Contact Rate
• Specialist Physicians (SP)
• Tariff Codes

References 

• 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)

Term used in 

• Chartier M, Finlayson G, Prior H, McGowan K, Chen H, de Rocquigny J, Walld R, Gousseau M. Health and Healthcare Utilization of Francophones in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Fransoo R, Martens P, Burland E, The Need to Know Team, Prior H, Burchill C. Manitoba RHA Indicators Atlas 2009. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2009. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)
• 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)
• Frohlich N, Katz A, De Coster C, Dik N, Soodeen RA, Watson D, Bogdanovic B. Profiling Primary Care Physician Practice in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2006. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Martens PJ, Bartlett J, Burland E, Prior H, Burchill C, Huq S, Romphf L, Sanguins J, Carter S, Bailly A. Profile of Metis Health Status and Healthcare Utilization in Manitoba: A Population-Based Study. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2010. [Report] [Summary] [Updates and Errata] [Additional Materials] (View)