Consultation is the act of exchanging information and opinions about something in order to reach a better understanding of it or to make a decision, or a meeting for this purpose. In the medical context, a consultation refers to a meeting between a patient and a physician to get health advice or treatment. The physician may call in a specialist for consultation on a case or its treatment. In the business context, consulting is a term for providing business advice on various topics including corporate strategy, product development, marketing, information technology, and more. Consultants provide recommendations to improve business results, much like a doctor would provide a patient with the steps necessary to regain their health. A consultation can also refer to a conference or meeting at which opinions are exchanged or advice is prescribed.