When abandoning a patient, what is required to transfer care?

• A. A written transition plan and reasonable notice.
• B. Just a verbal handoff.
• C. No documentation necessary.
• D. Transfer only if patient requests.

Answer: (A)

Abandonment of a patient is avoided by ensuring continuity of care when ending a physician–patient relationship. The proper way to transfer care is to provide a written transition plan along with reasonable notice. A written plan formally documents what will happen next: who will take over, how and when records will be transferred, and what the current diagnosis, treatment, medications, and follow-up needs are. This not only guides the receiving clinician but also protects the patient from gaps in care.

Verbal handoffs alone are not enough because they rely on memory and can omit critical details, leaving the patient vulnerable. No documentation at all fails to create a clear, accountable path for continued care. Transferring care simply because the patient requests it is not adequate if the request would leave care incomplete or unsafe; there still needs to be a documented plan and appropriate notice to ensure the patient isn’t abandoned.

So the best practice is to provide a written transition plan and reasonable notice to effect a proper transfer of care, ensuring the patient’s medical information is shared with the new provider and that care continues smoothly.