How do you use "Referral" in a sentence?

The GP put in a referral to cardiology. Still waiting for my referral to come through. You need a referral to see a specialist.

Referral

Q: What does "Referral" mean?

Being sent to a specialist by your GP. In the NHS, you usually can't see a specialist directly—your GP must 'refer' you. A referral is the official recommendation to see a consultant, specialist clinic, or hospital department. 'Getting a referral' is often the first step to specialist care.

Slang Term BritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: Being sent to a specialist by your GP.

由全科医生转介到专科医生。

Ser derivado a un especialista por tu médico de cabecera.

かかりつけ医から専門医に紹介されること。

주치의(GP)로부터 전문의에게 의뢰되는 것.

In the NHS, you usually can't see a specialist directly—your GP must 'refer' you. A referral is the official recommendation to see a consultant, specialist clinic, or hospital department. 'Getting a referral' is often the first step to specialist care.

在NHS体系中，通常不能直接看专科医生，全科医生（GP）必须「转介」你。转介是推荐你去看顾问医生、专科门诊或医院科室的正式文件。「Getting a referral」往往是看专科的第一步。

En el NHS, normalmente no puedes ver a un especialista directamente; tu médico de cabecera (GP) debe «derivarte». Una derivación es la recomendación oficial para ver a un consultor, clínica especializada o departamento hospitalario. «Getting a referral» suele ser el primer paso para la atención especializada.

NHSでは通常、直接専門医を受診できず、かかりつけ医（GP）が「紹介」する必要がある。紹介状は専門医、専門クリニック、病院の部門を受診するための正式な推薦。「Getting a referral」は専門医にかかるための最初のステップ。

NHS에서는 보통 전문의를 직접 만날 수 없고, 주치의(GP)가 '의뢰(refer)'해야 한다. 의뢰(referral)는 전문의, 전문 클리닉, 또는 병원 부서에 진료를 의뢰하는 공식적인 추천이다. '의뢰를 받다(getting a referral)'는 전문 진료의 첫 단계인 경우가 많다.

Examples

The GP put in a referral to cardiology.
全科医生开了转介单到心内科
El médico de cabecera envió una derivación a cardiología
「GPが循環器科への紹介状を出した」
GP가 심장내과로 의뢰서를 넣었어.
Still waiting for my referral to come through.
还在等转介审批通过
Aún esperando que llegue mi derivación
「まだ紹介の手続きが通るのを待ってる」
아직 의뢰 절차가 완료되길 기다리고 있어.
You need a referral to see a specialist.
看专科需要转介
Necesitas una derivación para ver a un especialista
「専門医にかかるには紹介状が必要だよ」
전문의를 보려면 의뢰서가 필요해.

Pronunciation

/rɪˈfɜːrəl/

Usage Guide

Context: NHS, GP, specialist

Tone: administrative, medical

✓ Do Say

Get a referral
获得转介
obtener una derivación
紹介状をもらう
의뢰서를 받다
Put in a referral
开转介单
enviar una derivación
紹介状を出す
의뢰서를 넣다
NHS referral
NHS转介
derivación del NHS
NHS紹介
NHS 의뢰

✗ Don't Say

US often allows self-referral to specialists
美国通常可以自行找专科医生
En EE. UU. a menudo se puede ir directamente al especialista
アメリカでは専門医に直接行けることが多い
미국에서는 전문의에게 직접 갈 수 있는 경우가 많음

Common Mistakes

Referral can take weeks to process in NHS

Origin & History

From Latin 'referre' (to carry back). In NHS context, it's the gatekeeping system where GPs control access to specialists. Essential to how British healthcare works.

Etymology: Latin 'referre' (to carry back, report)

First recorded: Medical usage 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: NHS era

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: NHS system

Regional notes: Central to NHS and similar systems.

Variations

ReferralReferred