Consults

A consult, short for consultation, is a session or process in which an individual or organization seeks advice, expertise, or information from a qualified professional or specialist. Consults can be formal or informal, occur in person or remotely, and may be single meetings or part of an ongoing engagement. The primary goal is to inform decision-making, diagnosis, or problem solving.

Common contexts include healthcare, law, finance, management, information technology, engineering, and education. In medicine, a consultation may be requested by a primary clinician to obtain a second opinion or a specialist assessment. In other fields, clients seek strategic advice, technical recommendations, or compliance guidance.

The consult process typically involves defining objectives, selecting a consultant, and agreeing on scope, deliverables, timeline, and costs. Clients provide relevant information and questions in advance. The consultant reviews materials, conducts analysis or examination, and communicates findings through a report, recommendations, or a structured consultation note. Follow-up consultations may address implementation or revision.

Key considerations include qualifications and licensure of the consultant, independence and absence of conflicts of interest, and the evidence base supporting recommendations. Data privacy and confidentiality are often important, especially in medical and legal contexts. Technology increasingly enables teleconsultations, asynchronous second opinions, and digital collaboration.

Outcomes of a consult are typically recommendations, action plans, risk assessments, or clarified options. A consult supplements, but does not replace, formal decision-making and accountability. Clients may seek multiple opinions when high-stakes decisions are involved.