How To Prepare for an Introduction - Practitioners

Here is an overview of tips and best practices created to help you ensure a great match and a compliant collaboration.

During the introductory meeting, Physicians may ask the following questions to assess a potential match. Practitioners may also ask similar questions to ensure the collaboration is mutually beneficial.

1. Clinical Information

Review clinical backgrounds, scope of practice and any specialized training, and confirm patient types, care settings, services provided, prescribing practices, and required physician oversight to ensure aligned expectations for supervision.

• What is your clinical background and experience?
• Have you completed any specialized training relevant to your practice or patient population?
• Are there any limitations or restrictions to your scope of practice that I should be aware of?

• Patient Population:
  • Type
  • Volume
• Services Provided:
  • Telehealth
  • In office
  • Home Health
  • Procedures
• Prescriptions
  • Prescribing or no prescribing for this collab?
    • Controlled Substances: type (sample list) and volume (# per day/week on avg)
    • Non-controlled Substances
• If the Physician is required to sign off on prescriptions or referrals, what is the expected frequency of sign off: daily, three times per week, once per week?

2. Basic Expectations, Documentation, and Communication Preferences

Clarify collaboration expectations, establish preferred communication methods and frequency, confirm meeting cadence, and align on chart review requirements and access procedures across involved states.

General

• Are there any specific needs or expectations for this collaboration?

Communication

Determine the method and frequency of communication preferred by all parties. Determine the meeting requirements in the collaboration states.

• Preferred method for regular communication: 
  • Phone call
  • Text message
  • Zivian chat in the Platform
  • Secure App
  • Confirm logins and phone numbers
• What is the expected frequency of communication/availability?
• Is there a different method for urgent v standard communication?
• How often is a meeting required/how often is a meeting preferred (if it differs)
• What is the chosen meeting forum?

3. Quality Improvement and Feedback

Confirm willingness to engage in quality improvement initiatives and participate in peer review processes as part of the collaboration.

• Are you open to participating in quality improvement initiatives and peer reviews?

4. Emergency Planning and Contingencies

Establish standard operating procedures for managing emergencies in both virtual and in-person settings, ensuring all parties understand their roles and response protocols.

• What are the procedures in place for handling emergencies or unexpected situations during virtual care?

• How will you handle in person emergencies or situations that require immediate attention?