Curbside Consultations in Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Abstract

The Pediatric ID Consultant section provides brief reviews of topics relevant to the day-to-day practice of pediatric infectious diseases. The reviews are placed in context by a short vignette, followed by one or more questions which are addressed. Pediatric infectious diseases physicians are often asked by medical colleagues to provide recommendations for management of a patient without the benefit of a formal consultation. This article relates a story exemplifying such a request and discusses the possible quality of care, medical liability, and financial implications of informal consultations.