A hospitalist shares her preferences for consultants. You’d think it would involve medical knowledge or skill, but it’s really much more simple:

But of all the criteria I use when selecting a consultant, there is one that is most important: Handwriting. If I can’t read their writing, then they’d better be approachable. I have, many times, called a consultant and said, “Hello. Thank you for seeing my patient. Now, what the heck did you write?”

As a primary care doc, availability is the most important to me. How far is the consultant booking out? Can they see the patient same-day for urgent cases?

Other factors include approachability and how soon I receive their note or letter.

I concur with Fat Doctor that there is a shortage of neurologists. We could use more psychiatrists and dermatologists as well.