SBAR Communication Framework
The communication described is "B. Recommendation" - specifically, the statement "I think you should come see the patient" represents the final component of the SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) communication framework, where the calling provider makes an explicit recommendation for action.
Understanding SBAR Structure
The scenario describes a structured handoff communication that follows the SBAR framework, which is widely used in healthcare to enhance patient safety and reduce communication errors 1:
- Situation (S): Chief complaint - what is happening with the patient right now
- Background (B): Brief history - relevant clinical context and past medical information
- Assessment (A): The provider's clinical evaluation (implied in the "3 paragraphs" of information)
- Recommendation (R): "I think you should come see the patient" - the explicit action requested
Why This is a Recommendation
The phrase "I think you should come see the patient" is the recommendation component because it explicitly states what action the calling provider believes should be taken 1. This represents the culmination of the SBAR communication where the sender:
- Makes their clinical judgment clear
- Requests a specific action from the receiving provider
- Closes the loop on the communication exchange
The SBAR protocol requires that communication end with a clear recommendation to improve patient safety and ensure effective handoffs between providers 1.
Clinical Context
While the vignette describes multiple components (chief complaint = Situation, brief history = Background, extensive information = Assessment), the question specifically asks about the final statement "I think you should come see the patient," which is unequivocally the Recommendation component 1.
Effective interprofessional team communication requires that recommendations be transparent, timely, and include clear problem-solving elements 2. The calling provider fulfilled this by explicitly stating what they believe should happen next.