Follow-Up and Continuity of Care

 FOLLOW-UP AND CONTINUITY OF CARE

 

Depending on the reason for the patient’s visit—either for a specific medical problem or for a preventive examination, further assessments and a management plan can be estab-lished. If the patient has consulted the physician for a spe-cific problem, a differential diagnosis may be formulated. Interventions can take the form of behavior modification, additional monitoring, treatment, or referral. If the patient has had a preventive health care examination, issues that arise during the history and physical examination and a long-term plan for addressing these issues should be discussed. Screening tests and immunizations that are appropriate for the patient should also be administered.

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