Making a Good Referral

1. Make sure the referral is appropriate for the client.

Don’t provide the referral unless the service is needed by and is accessible to the client, and the client will feel comfortable in that setting.



2. Give good instructions on how to locate the services.

Provide the contact information in written form in an easy-to-read fashion. Make sure that low-literate/illiterate clients remember verbal instructions and/or have someone who can read the address to them. Clients should be provided with the name, address, and, if feasible, the telephone number of the service.



3. Make sure the reason for the referral is clear.

Provide the client with a clear purpose for the referral. For example, “This is a clinic where you can be tested for HIV antibodies to show whether or not you have been infected with HIV.”



4. Provide the name of a person for the client to meet.

If possible, give the name of a specific person to the client. Adding something about what this person has to offer may help the client feel more comfortable following through with the referral. For example, “Talk to a nurse named Patricia. Tell her that Lydia from the family planning clinic sent you. Patricia is from a neighboring village to you and has worked with many people from your village and surrounding villages. I really think that she will be able to help you and your family.”



5. Explore potential obstacles to follow-through.

Many people do not follow through on referrals. Discuss this with the client and strategize together ways to overcome potential obstacles to follow-through. For example, “I know it can be difficult for many people to follow through on referrals. Can you think of any reasons that might make it difficult for you to get there? Is transportation, time off work, talking to your partner about it, etc., a potential problem? How can we address these problems so that you can follow through on the referral?”



6. Encourage feedback on referrals.
   Ask the client to let you know if he or she has any problems with the referral, for any reason. This can help you determine whether you need to look for new referral resources or clear up misunderstandings with the staff at the referral site.

Adapted from: UCSF AIDS Health Project. 1998. “Building Quality HIV Prevention Counseling Skills,” The Basic 1 Training, A Training Curriculum for Counselors Working in the Context of HIV Counseling and Testing, Participant’s Manual, p. 107.