omhenvisning

Omhenvisning is a term used in Danish and Norwegian healthcare to describe a referral that is redirected to another provider after an initial referral has been made. It typically involves moving a patient from one specialist or service to another, either within the same health system or across institutions. The goal is to secure appropriate expertise, additional diagnostic capacity, or an alternative treatment pathway when the original referral is not sufficient to meet the patient’s needs.

A omhenvisning may occur for several reasons: diagnostic uncertainty or the need for subspecialty evaluation; limited availability at the initially referred unit; a request for a second opinion by the patient or clinician; or changes in the patient’s condition requiring different expertise. The process usually starts with the referring clinician (often a GP or hospital physician) initiating the re-referral, followed by transfer of relevant medical records to the new provider, and scheduling of a new consultation or test. The patient is typically informed about the reason for the change and any implications for waiting times and insurance coverage.

Legal rights and practical considerations include patient consent for data sharing, adherence to privacy laws, and timelines for arranging a new appointment. Omhenvisning supports continuity of care by ensuring patients access the most suitable expertise, though it can affect overall wait times and care complexity. It is distinct from a first referral (henvisning) and from an independent second opinion obtained outside the referral process.