Osteopath referral letter: when and how to refer
Osteopath referral letter to the doctor: when to refer (red flags, exclusion diagnosis) and how to write a clear letter. Template to download.
Countries covered : France
Knowing when to refer at the right time is part of patient safety and the osteopath's professionalism. The exclusion diagnosis and red flags are at the heart of this decision, and the referral letter is its record.
This page details when to refer, how to write the letter, and offers a template to download.
The framework: the exclusion diagnosis
Red flags (TINTIV)
Warning signs are often identified using the TINTIV system, which covers six families of pathologies not to be missed:
- T: Trauma.
- I: Inflammation.
- N: Neurological.
- T: Tumour.
- I: Infection.
- V: Vascular.
In practice, a portion of consultations (often estimated between 5 and 10%) leads to a medical referral. At the slightest doubt, it is better to refer.
When to refer
- Presence of one or more red flags.
- Symptoms that fall outside the scope of osteopathy or require a medical opinion.
- Lack of improvement or worsening justifying a medical assessment.
- Identification. Your contact details and professional status, the recipient, the patient, the date.
- Reason for referral. The objective elements motivating the referral (identified red flags).
- Findings. What you observed, without making a medical diagnosis.
- Request. Medical opinion, further examination, management.
- Action taken. What you did (or did not do) during the session.
Referral letter template to download
Concise and factual, based on objective criteria, ready to fill out. Access the PDF by entering your email:
Save time without compromising on safety
A fixed template guarantees a clear and factual letter, written quickly, without forgetting objective elements. For your records (follow-up sheet, report), Delta generates a structured document according to your template from your live note-taking or dictation. HDS hosting, GDPR compliant.
Frequently asked questions
Does an osteopath make a medical diagnosis?
No. Medical diagnosis is the responsibility of the doctor (law of March 4, 2002). The osteopath performs an exclusion diagnosis to decide on care or referral.
What are red flags?
Warning signs of pathologies not to be missed, often identified via the TINTIV system (Trauma, Inflammation, Neurological, Tumour, Infection, Vascular).
When should a patient be referred to a doctor?
In the presence of red flags, when symptoms fall outside the scope of osteopathy or require a medical opinion, or in the absence of improvement.
What should the referral letter contain?
Identification, the objective reason for referral, findings (without medical diagnosis), the request, and the action taken.
Should the letter be detailed?
It must be concise, factual, and based on objective criteria, in compliance with the information-sharing framework and patient information.
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