Accreditation practice pointer: a patient’s right to seek other opinions

C2.1 C Our practice acknowledges a patient’s right to seek other clinical opinions.

RACGP Standards for general practice

Patients have the right to seek clinical opinions from other clinicians. GPs can support such patients by offering to refer the patient to their chosen clinician.

When GPs learn about a patient seeking a second opinion, they must document in the patient’s health record:

· the patient’s decision

· the actions taken by the practitioner

· any referrals to other care providers.

Practices might also develop a policy or procedure that explains how the clinical team must manage patients seeking another clinical opinion.