Here are 5 highlights of the new draft:
policy matters
Five things to know about …
Proposed changes to Ending the Physician-Patient Relationship policy
We are now consulting on an update to our Ending the Physician-Patient Relationship policy and are interested in hearing what you think about the proposed changes.
This policy clarifies the expectations of physicians when ending the physician-patient relationship, and outlines the actions to be followed in doing so. It covers situations where a physician ends the physician-patient relationship with one or more patients in circumstances other than the physician’ s retirement, relocation, leave of absence or disciplinary action.
To read the full draft and provide feedback during our consultation, please visit our website at www. cpso. on. ca. We want to know what you think.
Here are 5 highlights of the new draft:
1
The“ Scope” section of the policy has been updated to more clearly articulate how the policy applies to specialist physicians. The policy now states that specialist physicians must end the physician-patient relationship as outlined in the policy whenever choosing to discontinue the care of a patient prior to reaching the normal or expected conclusion of that patient’ s treatment or assessment.
2
The draft expands on the actions physicians are expected to take prior to ending the physicianpatient relationship. These include, wherever possible: proactively communicating expectations for patient conduct to all patients; considering whether a particular incident or behaviour is an isolated example, or part of a larger pattern; and having a discussion with the patient regarding the reasons affecting the physician’ s ability to continue providing care.
3
Detail has been added to help clarify when it may be appropriate to discontinue care due to a significant breakdown in the physician-patient relationship.
4
While the policy recognizes that physicians are entitled to receive and pursue payment for uninsured services, it now explicitly states that it is not appropriate to end the physician-patient relationship solely because the patient has not paid an outstanding fee.
5
The policy has also been updated to clarify that it is not appropriate to end the physician-patient relationship solely because the patient has sought care outside of a rostered practice 1.
1
Patient rostering in family practice is a process by which patients register with a family practice, family physician, or team. Rostered practices impose specific commitments on both family physicians and their patients: physicians commit to provide comprehensive and timely care, and patients commit to seek treatment from their enrolling physician or group except in specified circumstances. When patients seek care outside of the practice, except in specific circumstances, the physician may incur a financial penalty.
Issue 4, 2016 Dialogue 19