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Notes:
A series of OUT-PATIENT ATTENDANCES CONSULTANT will form a CONSULTANT OUT-PATIENT EPISODE, generated from a single referral. Note that it is possible to have two CONSULTANT OUT-PATIENT EPISODES with the same consultant for different clinical conditions, if two referrals are made.

An attendance may involve more than one PERSON - for example, a family. The number of attendances to be recorded should be the number of PATIENTS for whom the consultant has identifiable individual records and which will be maintained as a result of the attendance. Note that OUT-PATIENT ATTENDANCES CONSULTANT can take place outside a clinic session, and can take place at the PATIENT’s normal place of residence.

A PATIENT attending a WARD for examination or care will be counted as an OUT-PATIENT ATTENDANCE CONSULTANT if he/she is seen by a doctor. If they are only seen by a NURSE, they are a WARD ATTENDER.

An OUT-PATIENT ATTENDANCE CONSULTANT should also be recorded where a PATIENT is seen by a CONSULTANT from a different MAIN SPECIALTY during a CONSULTANT EPISODE (HOSPITAL PROVIDER) where there is no transfer of responsibility for the care of the PATIENT. For example, a patient who is admitted to hospital under a Gastroenterology specialty following an overdose may be seen while still in hospital by a psychiatrist who has been asked to assess their mental condition. The assessment by the psychiatrist should be recorded as an OUT-PATIENT ATTENDANCE CONSULTANT. 

This data element is also known by these names:

Context	Alias
plural	OUT-PATIENT ATTENDANCE CONSULTANTS