How would you dismiss a patient from your practice?
This is a question that seeks to know what you would find unacceptable in someone you've pledged to serve. At what point is that service untenable? Medicine is a relationship between patient and physician, and as such it requires the obligations of both parties. When those obligations falter on the part of one of the "partners," the entire relationship becomes faulty and untenable. Just because a patient is being "served" by you does not give him or her a pass for defaulting on his or her obligations to the relationship. You need to show the interviewer that there are lines beyond which behavior is unacceptable and grounds for ending the patient-physician relationship.
"To me, behavior and compliance are equally important in the sort of 'contract' I would have with a patient that makes up the patient-physician relationship. It must be a 2-way street if it's a true relationship. If there is the behavior I cannot abide, such as abuse of the clerical or ancillary staff, I must determine that this behavior isn't part of the pathology; if not, I owe it to those who render care"”with me"”to separate from this patient after due warnings. Compliance, on the other hand, only hurts the patient. I go to clinic, for example, whether the patient complies or not. Again, though, I would need to know that the patient's lack of compliance isn't part of his/her pathology. "
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
The patient-doctor contract is based on mutual respect and understanding. If a patient is verbally abusive to me or office staff, then they have breached that contract, and I have an obligation to keep the staff in my office safe and free of abuse. I would send them a letter explaining that they are being dismissed from the practice and have 30 days to find a new provider, and I would make myself available for their appointments within that 30-day window.
Amanda's Feedback
You've answered well and provided an adequate time frame of 30 days to allow the patient to find another physician. Consider enhancing your answer by sharing any steps you would take to save the patient relationship before having to issue the termination letter, such as sitting down with the patient to gain more insight into the underlying expectations or communicating clearly with the patient about appropriate expectations/behavior, the standard healthcare process, and the consequences of continued issues.
Anonymous Answer
If I felt it necessary to dismiss a patient from my practice due to repeated absences or rude behavior towards staff, I would first start with a few warnings. It would not be fair for me to all of a sudden dismiss someone without first allowing them the opportunity to fix certain behaviors. If problems continued to arise, I would give the patient a 30-day notice to allow them time to find care somewhere else.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice! Giving the troublesome patient a chance to fix their behavior is a good first step. Providing them time to find care elsewhere shows your compassionate nature. Good answer!
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