Communicating the Growth Plan

• Define who in your office is responsible for communicating or obtaining the patient’s care plan and important health status changes.

• Define who should be included in the communication:

• • The patient and family
  • The pediatrician in the medical home
  • The referring provider if different than the pediatrician
  • Subspecialist(s)
  • Other essential care team members

• Define what should be included in the communication. Items may include:

• • Specific questions
  • History of the condition
  • Physical exam features
  • Growth charts
  • Diagnostic testing (or no testing)
  • Diagnosis and rationale
  • Plan and rationale
  • Medications
  • Assessment of psychosocial concerns
  • Education about the condition (from endocrinologist)
  • Your contact information for feedback

• Determine the form of the communication. Options include:
  • Submit electronically, FAX, or securely mail or e-mail or in practices sharing the same EMR system have an electronic message sent that your note is ready for review. Assign one staff person in the clinic responsible for transmission of the updated plan at every encounter.
  • Fax the care plan to the primary care office.
  • Provide a summary letter with an invitation to the primary care office to request additional records or a full copy of the records.
  • Encourage the patient and family to keep an up-to-date copy of the care plan and to communicate changes in health status and care regimen to all members of the care team.