When is the physician-patient relationship established?

The physician-patient relationship is established when the patient requests health care, and the physician agrees to provide it. This mutual agreement signifies the start of a professional relationship, which is foundational for legal and ethical responsibilities in healthcare.

The relationship is characterized by trust and confidentiality, and it obligates the physician to provide appropriate care, while the patient is expected to communicate relevant health information. The relationship is not merely initiated by the act of filing a lawsuit or by the physical presence in the physician's office. While entering the office and sending a prescription may imply a level of interaction, they do not inherently signify the formal acceptance of the relationship and its accompanying responsibilities. Thus, the correct understanding of when the physician-patient relationship begins hinges on the overt consent and acceptance to provide care, encapsulated in the patient's request and the physician's agreement.