When combat ends, the game should ask us whether we want to remain in turn based mode or if we want to get back to exploration. Some companions might be on the death door, on the last stage before death especially, and need saving. Or other enemies might still be around going on a routine path. There might be some traps to avoid and so on.
I think it would be fair to be able to decide right after combat if we are finished with turn based mode or not. It would at least save some res scrolls for not pressing the space bar on time.