If You Are the Consultant--Suppose you see a patient for a second opinion or a consultation and the patient expresses a desire to change to your practice. This is flattering, and it can be easy to say yes before thinking about the implications. Certainly no physician "owns" a patient , and patients have a right to choose whomever they feel will be most helpful to them.
However, there is an unwritten moral code to return the patient to the original physician -- unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise. If you feel strongly that you would like to take on this patient, you should communicate openly with the original physician, requesting the patient's records and stating your reasons for wishing to see this patient in your practice. If you have an arrangement such that you routinely see many patients in consultation for another physician, make sure you understand what his/her…
