Closing the referral loop: Perspectives and experiences of primary care and specialist physicians

Every year, millions of referrals are made by primary care physicians in the U.S. for patients needing consultations with specialists. The intention is for patients to be seen by specialists and then to return to their primary care providers, completing a process known as a referral loop. However, between a third and half of referral loops are not closed, potentially resulting in patients not getting the care they need, which can compromise safety and health outcomes.