{"id":357307,"date":"2026-07-10T03:54:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T03:54:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/refusing-to-treat-a-patient\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T03:54:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T03:54:17","slug":"refusing-to-treat-a-patient","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=357307","title":{"rendered":"Refusing to Treat a Patient"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n

I was listening to talk radio the other day and somehow the discussion turned to a personal story that the host had heard from their friend [Note: I was unable to verify this story as it did not make any headlines]. The short version was that a Canadian primary care physician refused to care for a patient because that patient had become violent during several visits and threatened the safety of the doctor and the staff.<\/p>\n

The panel discussion that ensued was interesting. Two of the panelists agreed with the doctor citing that no one should be forced into a situation where their personal safety or the safety of others is at risk. Two of the other panelists were not as supportive saying that it is a slippery slope because what one person may see as \u201cthreatening\u201d others may see as \u201cloudly advocating for yourself\u201d. The Hippocratic oath was brought up a few times, as was the fact that in Canada, it is basic right as a citizen to receive care.<\/p>\n

I thought it would be interesting to discuss this same topic with the HCLDR community. Under what circumstances is it okay for doctor to refuse to treat a patient? And how do we ensure this doesn\u2019t happen on a whim?<\/p>\n

Medical Guidelines \u2013 Canada<\/strong><\/p>\n

The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA), which regulates the practice of medicine in that province has the following guidelines<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Physicians maintain the right to discharge a patient if the patient is physically or verbally abusive, threatening or violent towards the physician, their staff members or other patients. The use of discriminatory language, including racial slurs, towards a physician or staff members is considered abusive and threatening.<\/em><\/p>\n

CPSA\u2019s standard of practice on Terminating the Physician-Patient Relationship in Office-Based Settings clarifies CPSA\u2019s expectations. If the situation escalates and there is a perceived or real threat of violence, physicians should not hesitate to contact local law enforcement or facility security for additional support. The top priority is your safety, the safety of staff members and the safety of other patients.<\/em><\/p>\n

It is not okay for any physician to feel unsafe in their practice\u2014this includes physicians in rural communities where there are fewer options for patients to access care.<\/em><\/p>\n

The CPSA also has clear guidelines that prevent physicians from terminating a relationship with a patient based on:<\/p>\n