I found an interesting article by Bonnie Darves posted on the Career Center page of the New England Journal of Medicine website. The article covers the clinical and administrative steps that one needs to take when leaving practice.
Here are some excerpts from the article:
“Three to six months ahead:
* Review all contractual arrangements, especially the current employment contract and managed-care contracts.
* Notify colleagues, professional societies, specialty boards, state licensing boards, and malpractice carriers, and contracted health plans. (If moving to another state or jurisdiction, similar agencies must be contacted and licensing and professional liability requirements met as well.)
* Inquire about state-mandated responsibilities regarding patient transfer and recordkeeping.
* Check with the specialty society regarding its policies and recommended timeline for patient notification. In psychiatry, for example, six-month notice period is urged for all active patients.
One to three months ahead:
* Notify administrators and staff at all facilities where you admit or care for patients. Start with a phone call and follow up with a detailed letter that also includes future contact information.
* Notify patients in writing, through a letter carefully crafted with input from practice colleagues or the employing organization, if applicable. The letter should specify the date of departure, patients’ options regarding providers to manage their care, and how and where their medical records will be stored.”
The article can be found at the NEJM website.
