Okuzeka
Veterinary Medicine vocabulary · The Veterinary Practice

Referral

Meaning in veterinary medicine, with examples

/rɪˈfɜːrəl/nounCommon term

In veterinary medicine, referral means: Sending an animal to a specialist or a better-equipped hospital for tests or treatment that the first practice cannot provide.

In Turkish: sevk, sevk etme

How it is used

The first-opinion vet refers the case and writes a referral letter; the specialist sends back a referral report. Referral hospitals offer services such as MRI, orthopaedic surgery and oncology.

Example sentences

  1. I'd recommend a referral to a neurologist for an MRI scan.

  2. We received the referral letter and the X-rays this morning.

Common collocations

  • referral letter
  • referral hospital
  • referral centre
  • refer a case
  • first-opinion practice
  • veterinarianA qualified animal doctor who examines animals, diagnoses and treats their diseases, performs surgery and prescribes medicines. Vets also work in food safety, public health and research.
  • diagnosisThe identification of the disease or problem that is causing an animal's clinical signs, based on the history, the examination and test results.
  • consultationA meeting, usually booked as an appointment, in which a vet examines an animal, discusses the problem with the owner and agrees a plan.
  • prognosisA vet's opinion about the likely course and outcome of a disease, for example whether the animal will recover and how long it may live.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: The Veterinary Practice

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.