Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

KickerFeaturesSectionsNewsLJN NewslettersMedical Malpractice Law & Strategy

Terminating the Physician/Patient Relationship

BY Kimberly Danebrock
January 31, 2015

At some point in their careers, physicians may be faced with terminating services to patients. In general, terminating the physician-patient relationship is allowed as long as the physician provides reasonable notice to the patient ' giving him or her the opportunity to obtain another qualified physician to manage his or her care. If this requirement is not met, and the patient suffers injury, the physician may have breached a duty to the patient and may be found liable for medical negligence (malpractice) under the theory of abandonment. How do we terminate the physician-patient relationship while also preventing abandonment?

The Duty

Although there is generally no written contract to establish the physician-patient relationship, one can be created by a physician treating the patient in the office or hospital, through call obligation or via contract with the health plan. Once the relationship has been created, the physician has an ethical and legal duty to provide services to the patient until the relationship has been terminated. This relationship can be ended when the patient and physician both agree to do so; the patient no longer wants or requires the physician's services; or the physician unilaterally terminates the relationship, provided the patient is given reasonable notice to allow time to find another physician.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Yachts, Jets, Horses & Hooch: Specialized Commercial Leasing Models Image

Defining commercial real estate asset class is essentially a property explaining how it identifies — not necessarily what its original intention was or what others think it ought to be. This article discusses, from a general issue-spot and contextual analysis perspective, how lawyers ought to think about specialized leasing formats and the regulatory backdrops that may inform what the documentation needs to contain for compliance purposes.

Hyperlinked Documents: The Latest e-Discovery Challenge Image

As courts and discovery experts debate whether hyperlinked content should be treated the same as traditional attachments, legal practitioners are grappling with the technical and legal complexities of collecting, analyzing and reviewing these documents in real-world cases.

Identifying Your Practice's Differentiator Image

How to Convey Your Merits In a Way That Earns Trust, Clients and Distinctions Just as no two individuals have the exact same face, no two lawyers practice in their respective fields or serve clients in the exact same way. Think of this as a "Unique Value Proposition." Internal consideration about what you uniquely bring to your clients, colleagues, firm and industry can provide untold benefits for your law practice.

Risks and Ad Fraud Protection In Digital Advertising Image

The ever-evolving digital marketing landscape, coupled with the industry-wide adoption of programmatic advertising, poses a significant threat to the effectiveness and integrity of digital advertising campaigns. This article explores various risks to digital advertising from pixel stuffing and ad stacking to domain spoofing and bots. It will also explore what should be done to ensure ad fraud protection and improve effectiveness.

Turning Business Development Plans Into Reality Image

This article offers practical insights and best practices to navigate the path from roadmap to rainmaking, ensuring your business development efforts are not just sporadic bursts of activity, but an integrated part of your daily success.