Microbiologists are frequently consulted for guidance on the investigation and management of infection, including antimicrobial prescribing in hospital settings. There is a rising demand for timely microbiology advice in the context of increasing global travel and antibiotic resistance, which give rise to complex cases. However, junior doctors are seldom trained in making effective referrals. Improving confidence in this key skill saves time for both the referring clinician and the specialist, and results in more accurate advice being given. This benefits patients who are more likely to receive appropriate treatment. This article presents guidance, developed in consultation with specialists, to improve the quality of referrals to microbiologists. This includes the information required for a high-quality referral, and signposts referring clinicians to existing resources which are suitable for simpler cases not requiring specialist input.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.