/ > / VY Chapter 11 E CONSULTATIONS rwekle!s met NOP. je prede. o ooo < 4 “ pred, iE rate gy tof “i inert Reb Kenarktr > Lang rhe Eo In the fompomee ters we rev eived ee. nics as a part of the diagnostic evaluation t planning. The examination of children for th pose of advising other professionals, *-€. “consultation, ae much the same but has some definite ite differences, When a child comes or is brought to us for treatment, our prim responsibility is to that patient and his Parents. However in_consultation, our primary Zesponsibility is t eon: sulter. Unless or until the consulter, the consultant, and the ‘fainily mutually agree that the consultant shall take com. plete charge of the case, the consultant is advisor to the” consulter and the gonsulter remains direct] responsible to | and for the pat t. Adhering to this principle is not blindly i 3 accepting traditional medica} ethics or eliquette. Patients can be rendered serious disservice when consulter-consultant toles are confused. For example, there may be misunder- standing about who is taking the responsibility for review- ing the findings and Tecommendations with the responsible adults to the end that nothing is done for the child. Fami- lies frequently complain they were told nothing after rather extensive evaluation procedures. We fear that all too often this complaint is justified. Equally serious from the patient's standpoint are those instances in which the consultant and consulter have misunderstandings or honest differences of Opinion and the family is given confusing or contradictory advice © specific pur- When'a colleague refers a patent for diagnosis and treat- [ i oe a) ol em OSX, oN cemls'S) , sallinueaialies i ee