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A Message from the Editor-in-Chief: End of An Era
A final goodbye It is with a heavy heart that I write this last piece for Perspectives in Primary Care. Current financial realities have necessitated... -
An Underrated Barrier to Healthcare: It's Not Just About Cost
“Thank you for calling our free clinic. How can I help you?” I have spent countless hours listening to the pleas of people in desperate need of... -
A Guide to Geriatric Psychiatry Referral for Health Care Professionals and Caregivers
Our aging global population has the potential to enrich our communities, strengthen intergenerational relationships, and help preserve our cultural...
Archive
As of June 30, 2025, Perspectives in Primary Care is no longer active.
Perspectives in Primary Care features writing from practitioners, activists, and community members representing organizations, practices, and institutions across the United States and around the world.
The Art of the Referral
By Linda Girgis, MD In our current practice of medicine, many people don’t understand what a primary care physician (PCP) does. Some are disillusioned that the PCP serves as a glorified receptionist, just sitting in their offices to pass out referrals to specialists, the real doctors. Often, patients call my office for a referral to a specialist based on a problem that we never treated them for. Many people don’t understand why the receptionist cannot just give them a referral. A referral involves medical decision making and is part of ...
