Terminating a physician-patient relationship is appropriate and ethical in a variety of circumstances. However, if the relationship is not ended appropriately, a physician could be liable for patient abandonment or for failure to diagnose or treat a condition. In this special report, NORCAL’s risk management experts present justifiable grounds for terminating a patient relationship and factors that may increase the risk of an abandonment claim.
Reducing Liability Risks in Patient Termination
- Learn what to consider when withdrawing from care of a patient.
Case Study
- See how one physician put himself and his practice at risk when terminating a patient relationship.
Best Practices
- Learn ways you can reduce your liability risks when ending patient relationships.
References
1. NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company. Claims Rx: Termination of the Physician-Patient Relationship — Breaking Up Is Hard to Do. January 2015.
2. NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company. “Physician-Patient Relationship: Termination of the Relationship. Risk Management Resource.” 2015.
