2.1.4: Availability of Licensees to Their Patients

It is the position of the Board that once a relationship between a licensee and a patient is created, it is the duty of the licensee to provide care whenever it is needed or to assure that proper backup by a healthcare provider is available to take care of the patient during or outside normal office hours or when the licensee is otherwise out of office.

If the licensee is not going to be available after hours or otherwise out of office it is the responsibility of the licensee to ensure that the patient has sufficient information regarding how to secure care.

It should be noted that these duties are applicable to a licensee whether the licensee is practicing telemedicine or practicing medicine through traditional means.