Legal Advisor: Terminating the Doctor- Patient Relationship
A physician has both an ethical and legal obligation to provide services to his or her patients. If they do not end the relationship properly, the physician could be liable for a claim of patient abandonment. The American Medical Association (AMA), defines abandonment as "the termination of a professional relationship between physician and patient at an unreasonable time and without giving the patient the chance to find an equally qualified replacement." This CME activity explores under what conditions a physician may terminate his or her relationship with a patient and actions that may reduce liability.
Learning Objectives
- Cite situations that warrant termination of the doctor-patient relationship.
- List specific information that should be communicated to the patient prior to termination.
- Explore potential patient-termination scenarios which require additional steps to terminate the relationship properly.
Course Fees
MMS Member Physicians: $12
Nonmember Physicians: $22
Allied Health Professionals: $9.60
Format: Text
CME Credit: 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, risk management study
