There was a complaint from the patient of a psychiatrist that the care provided was inappropriately demeaning and judgmental. On reviewing the response of the psychiatrist, and considerng the patient s psychiatric condition, the Committee felt that the patient s interpretation of events were largely influenced by her own pathology. The Committee could find no fault with the care provided. Laboratory and Other Reports Recent litigation in New Brunswick and other provinces has concerned the question of the physician s obligation to track and retrieve diagnostic reports and forward relevant information to the patient. Even though some responsibility for a missing report may be attached to a hospital or diagnostic facility, courts have consistently assigned most of the responsibility to the physician who orders the test.
Courts appear to acknowledge that, in any complex system, reports can go astray.
For that reason, courts have also expected that physicians have developed a system of some type to minimize such a risk. Council feels that physicians should review their own practices in the context of these developments. Consultants Reports Council has become increasingly concerned regarding the practice of some consultants in failing to report back to the referring physician, or to delay doing so by several months. Council does not feel a specific policy on the matter is necessary, but physicians are reminded of the risks involved in such practice. Communication with a referring physician is an integral part of the consultative process.