Which statement best defines patient abandonment in Oklahoma podiatry practice?

• A. Discontinue care abruptly without transfer.
• B. Do not discontinue care abruptly without ensuring timely transfer and reasonable notice.
• C. Always transfer care upon patient request.
• D. Discontinue if patient misses an appointment.

Answer: (B)

In Oklahoma podiatry practice, patient abandonment is ending the professional relationship in a way that leaves the patient without timely access to care. The best definition emphasizes not terminating care abruptly and ensuring continuity by providing reasonable notice and arranging a timely transfer to another qualified provider. This protects the patient’s ongoing treatment and safety by allowing a smooth transition.

Abruptly discontinuing without transfer fails to ensure continuity of care. Requiring that care be transferred only upon patient request isn’t accurate in all circumstances, since there are limits and not every request requires immediate transfer. And stopping care simply because a patient misses an appointment ignores the obligation to attempt reasonable rescheduling and address access to care before ending the relationship.