What will be deemed reasonable will depend largely on the circumstances of each case, including the patient's condition and the resources available in the community. In these situations, consulting physicians should be able to demonstrate that they made reasonable efforts to ensure the patient had access to any follow-up care or further referral. However, in some cases, there may not be a primary care physician to refer a patient back to, and the patient may be vulnerable and in need of active treatment. Special care should be paid to the transfer of vulnerable patients (such as the elderly, young children, and those with complex physical and mental health issues).Ĭonsulting physicians should inform their patients’ primary care physician of their intention to close their practice, and refer patients back to the primary care physician for follow-up where appropriate. Reasonable efforts can include referring patients to matching programs through the ministry of health.Ĭonsulting physicians should consider appropriate transfer of care for patients who are in active treatment. The Colleges generally recognize that what is considered reasonable will depend on a variety of factors, including the reason for the practice closure, the needs of the patient, and the healthcare system resources available in the physician’s community. In this situation, physicians should be able to demonstrate that they made reasonable efforts to facilitate continuity of care. However, there may not be any other primary care physicians to easily transfer care to. When closing a practice, maintaining continuity of care is an especially important consideration for primary care physicians.
1 In these cases, physicians may need to lay out a plan in collaboration with partners or colleagues. Some Colleges require physicians to proactively plan for unexpected practice closures. Where advance notice of a physician’s departure is not possible (as in the case of sudden illness, death, or other unforeseen circumstances), responsibilities related to practice closure may be undertaken by a business partner, colleague, family member, or an executor for the estate of a deceased physician. Thoughtfully managing the various aspects of closing or relocating a clinical practice ensures the needs of patients continue to be met and potential medical-legal risks are mitigated. The decision to close or relocate a medical practice can be a difficult one, with consequences for patients as well as for the departing physician’s colleagues.