Chiropractors engage with other health professionals to refer, seek advice, opinions, specialised treatment for the benefit of their patients as required.
Chiropractors recognise this as an important part of the behaviour of a health professional.
When advice, opinions, referral, or treatment is needed from a medical specialist for the benefit of the patient, it should be efficient and direct.
The ACA considers that:
- Chiropractors should be granted referral rights to all medical specialists.
- As primary contact practitioners, referrals to medical specialists by chiropractors should attract Medicare rebate(s)/other rebates in the same fashion as referrals from GP’s.
- When interacting with a medical specialist regarding the collaborative care of their patient, a chiropractor should expect and be expected to:
a) communicate freely, between the practitioners; and
b) retain the active role of primary health care professional in the management of the patient. - Medical specialists should equally be able to directly refer, seek advice, opinions or chiropractic treatment for a patient.
The Association values engagement with speciality groups to foster professional interaction and referrals with the chiropractic profession.