From the Help Line Database: How to Terminate Treatment
APA's Managed Care Help Line frequently receives calls from members asking about what steps they must take to terminate their treatment relationship with a patient appropriately and limit liability risk.
Though the reasons may vary regarding why the patient's treatment is being terminated—the patient has failed to follow treatment instructions, the psychiatrist believes another therapist could provide better treatment, the psychiatrist is no longer in the patient's treatment network, the psychiatrist is retiring, or the psychiatrist believes the patient no longer requires treatment—the steps that must be taken are the same to ensure that there will be no potential liability for having abandoned the patient.
It is never appropriate to sever a treatment relationship when a patient is in an emegency situation unless the patient agrees to see another clinician or is hospitalized. | |||||
Give the patient reasonable notice and time to find a new therapist. This means a minimum of 30 days. | |||||
Assist the patient in the process of finding a new therapist. | |||||
Provide records and information as requested by a new therapist. | |||||
The psychiatrist should send a letter to the patient explaining the reason for the termination even if the psychiatrist provides the patient with this information in person or on the phone. The letter should offer assistance in finding a new therapist if continuing therapy is indicated.
Complete information about ending a relationship with a patient and a template for a termination letter is posted on APA's Web site at<www.psych.org/members/download.cfm?file=1693>.
If you have any questions about terminating patient relationships, call the Managed Care Help Line at (800) 343-4671. ▪
