abandonment (redirected from Abandonment of wife and children)

abandonment (of a patient),

n the withdrawing of a patient from treatment without giving reasonable notice or providing a competent replacement.

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abandonment Malpractice A physician's unilateral severance–or 'negligent termination' of a professional relationship with a Pt–so that the Pt may continue care with another physician, either without the Pt's consent, or without reasonable or adequate notification, and/or under circumstances in which the need for continuing medical care remains. See Malpractice Social medicine The desertion of a child by a parent or adult caretaker with no provisions for reasonable child-care or apparent intention to return; a child may be considered abandoned if left alone or with siblings or nonrelated and unsuitable individuals; abandonment is considered a form of physical neglect.