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Care of Patients Who Have Received Treatment Outside Canada

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Professional Standard Regarding Care of Patients Who Have Received Treatment Outside Canada

Preamble

Physicians have an obligation to treat patients with whom they have an existing physician-patient relationship. In discussing with a patient their desire to seek treatment outside of Canada, a physician may wish to discuss any potential risks and benefits. Physicians are expected to respectfully communicate with due regard for patients’ concerns. Physicians should respect patients’ autonomy in seeking out-of-country procedures. This may include managing complications arising from treatments received elsewhere.

Professional Standard

Physicians must deliver the appropriate and professional standard of care to all patients including when treating a patient who has received care outside of Canada.

Physicians are not obligated to provide non-indicated or experimental procedures or treatments that do not meet accepted Canadian standards.

Document History

Approved by the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia: March 24, 2017

First Approved by the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia: May 25, 2011

Approximate date of next review: 2020