practice partner
was little evidence of communication with the
patient himself or with his family.
The Committee was also concerned about the
treatment the patient received in the emergency
department at the acute care hospital. It was not
clear from the records reviewed why the patient
was not admitted to hospital for further investigation of his rapid weight loss, worsening renal
failure and overall condition.
R
2. apid weight loss in any elderly person
should prompt a thorough assessment and
evaluation by any physician asked to see the
person. A broad differential diagnosis should
be considered. Appropriate investigations
and a thorough medication review should be
undertaken. Along with the interprofessional
team, an appropriate treatment plan based
on the outcome of the assessment should be
developed and implemented.
The following are the Committee’s
recommendations:
3. hysicians are reminded that, as a part of the
P
interprofessional care team, communication
with the patient and/or substitute decisionmaker, as well as the interprofessional care
team, is critical in all health-care settings.
This communication should always be documented in the health record. Communication should occur, at a minimum, regarding
the initial diagnosis, prognosis and treatment
plan, and whenever significant changes in
any of these occur.
1. hysicians are reminded that they have an
P
important and critical role to play in interprofessional care teams. In collaboration
with the care team, the physician must establish a diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment
plan. In the absence of this, the care team is
not able to provide the right interventions
and support to the patient.
Changing your address?
MOVING?
We’ve made it easier for you to let us know
38
You can now change
your address online.
Just enter your login information and update
your information in the Members’ section of
our website at www.cpso.on.ca
You can also send us a change of address form. At the back of each issue of Dialogue and on the College’s website, a change of address form is provided. Please mail, fax, or email it to the College. You must notify the College
within 30 days of an address change. The College’s register must contain your current mailing address, email address,
and your primary practice address. The College also uses your email address for some communications. Your email address
is NOT available to the public.
Dialogue Issue 1, 2015
Issue1_15.indd 38
2015-03-24 2:42 PM