What is patient abandonment?
Patient abandonment occurs when a healthcare professional severs the patient-provider relationship without providing adequate notice or making proper arrangements for the patient's ongoing care. This can have serious consequences for the patient, including:
- Lack of access to care: When a patient is abandoned, they may not be able to find another healthcare professional who is willing or able to provide them with the care they need. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment, which can worsen the patient's condition.
- Financial hardship: Abandonment can also lead to financial hardship for patients, as they may be responsible for paying for medical bills that are not covered by insurance.
- Emotional distress: Abandonment can cause patients to feel anxious, depressed, and betrayed. This can make it difficult for them to cope with their illness and to trust healthcare professionals in the future.
Patient abandonment is a serious issue that can have a devastating impact on the lives of patients. It is important to be aware of the signs of patient abandonment and to take steps to prevent it from happening.
Signs of patient abandonment
There are a number of signs that may indicate that a patient is being abandoned, including:
- The healthcare professional suddenly terminates the patient-provider relationship without providing adequate notice.
- The healthcare professional fails to make proper arrangements for the patient's ongoing care.
- The healthcare professional is unavailable to the patient when needed.
- The healthcare professional ignores or disregards the patient's concerns or symptoms.
- The healthcare professional makes false or misleading statements about the patient's condition or treatment.
If you believe that you are being abandoned by your healthcare professional, it is important to take action immediately. You should:
- Contact your healthcare professional's office and request a meeting to discuss the situation.
- Write a letter to your healthcare professional documenting your concerns.
- File a complaint with the state medical board or licensing authority.
- Seek legal advice.