Interest or Ownership in a Facility or Enterprise for Podiatrists
Professional Standards Regarding Interest or Ownership in a Facility or Enterprise for Podiatrists
Preamble
This document deals with specific conflicts of interest that may arise when a podiatrist has financial interest or ownership in a facility or business. This document sets out responsibilities in addition to those set out in the College’s Professional Standards Regarding Conflict of Interest for Podiatrists.
Professional Standard(s)
Where the podiatrist has a financial interest in a facility or enterprise to which the podiatrist is referring a patient, the podiatrist:
- must fully disclose any interest the podiatrist has in the facility or enterprise to a patient prior to any referral to those; and
- must not promote the facility or enterprise in which the podiatrist has a financial interest to a patient in preference to others offering the same service(s) and/or product(s).
Definitions
Financial interest refers to any situation in which a clinician has a personal financial stake in a facility, business, or organization that could potentially influence their decisions or referrals.
Guiding Examples
The following guiding examples are intended to help podiatrists interpret this standard. They are not to be considered a complete list of conflicts of interest that may arise due to a podiatrist’s ownership or interest in a facility or enterprise.
Examples include:
- referring patients to businesses or facilities where the podiatrist holds a financial interest, including treatment, diagnostic facilities, and/or supplier of products including but not limited to compressive stockings, braces, shoes, and/or orthotic devices; and not providing other options where those services are available; and,
- offering only one product in which the podiatrist holds a financial interest over other comparable products and not giving the patient the option.
Resources
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia:
- Professional Standards Regarding Conflict of Interest for Podiatrists
- Professional Standards Regarding Billing for Podiatrists
- Professional Standards and Guidelines Regarding the Sale of Products and Services to Patients for Podiatrists
- Professional Standards and Guidelines Regarding Advertising and Public Communications by Podiatrists
Acknowledgements
In developing this standard, the College incorporated information provided in the policies of the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Document History
First approved by the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia: March 21, 2025