Professional Standards and Guidelines Regarding Duty to Report Health Professionals Preamble When a physician has reasonable grounds to believe that another physician is impaired, incompetent, unethical, or engaging in professional misconduct, including sexual misconduct, there is a professional obligation to report this concern to the College. The obligation arises regardless of whether the physician in question is a patient or a colleague. Similarly, physicians with good reason to believe a regulated health professional (other than a physician) is impaired, [...]
Professional Standards and Guidelines Regarding Physician Use of Social Media Preamble Physicians must be aware that participation in social media is subject to regulatory purview. When engaging with social media, physicians must not do harm to the reputation of the profession and the public trust. Physicians should be aware that any e-communications could be easily shared via social media. Definition The term "social media" refers [...]
Professional Standard Regarding Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) April 26, 20211 (amended May 5, 2021) 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 On June 17, 2016 new provisions of the Canadian Criminal Code came into force. These amendments to the Criminal Code followed the Supreme Court of Canada decision in Carter v Canada (Attorney General)
Professional Standards Regarding the Responsibilities of Physicians Working in Walk-in Clinics Preamble Patients seeking care in walk-in clinics are entitled to the same appropriate and professional standard of care as that provided in any other setting. The distinctive character of walk-in clinics, where physicians see unfamiliar patients episodically, must not hinder the quality of patient care. From the patient’s perspective, the physician is the face of the walk-in clinic. The presence of a physician implies that broad professional standards are in place with respect to the running of the clinic and the delivery of care. In addition to delivering patient care in keeping with the standards of the profession, physicians who choose to [...]
Professional Standards and Guidelines Regarding Reducing the Size of a Medical Practice Preamble Tension exists between the professional duty not to abandon patients and the physician's freedom to manage the size of their practice. Physicians may not discriminate against patients at any time including when considering discharging them from their practice. As providers of professional services, physicians are bound by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination regarding provision of or access to services or facilities on the basis of age, race, colour, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability or mental disability, an irrational fear [...]
Professional Standard Regarding Disruptive Behaviour by Physicians Preamble This professional standard specifies the College's expectations of physician behaviour in a professional environment. Disruptive behaviour is conduct characterized by the use of inappropriate words, actions or inactions by physicians which shows disrespect for others or any interpersonal interaction that interferes with or is likely to interfere with quality health care delivery. Good faith advocacy is not considered disruptive behaviour. Physicians may be accused of disruptive behaviour by their colleagues, patients or administration and/or leaders at the institution where they practice. In such instances, physicians should contact the Canadian Medical Protective Association as these matters may come before [...]
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 [...]
Professional Standards Regarding Transfer of Care Preamble In the complex world of medicine, it is imperative that a single physician be identified at all times as the most responsible physician (MRP) for any patient. All patients at all times have a right to know which physician is most responsible for their care. This document sets out the responsibilities of physicians to ensure that there is at all times a MRP for all patients, who is aware of the responsibilities of being the MRP, and whose identity is known to the patient. In short, there must always be a MRP for any patient. The MRP must, at all times, be aware of his or her status as [...]
Professional Standards and Guidelines Regarding Treating Self and Family Members Preamble Whenever a physician treats someone with whom he or she has a personal relationship, there is a risk that the relationship will affect the physician’s ability to provide good-quality, clinically objective care. Similar issues exist when physicians engage in self-treatment. Providing appropriate medical care within the context of a personal relationship is problematic because of the difficulty in defining and maintaining appropriate boundaries. For the purposes of this document the following definitions apply: “Family member” means a physician’s spouse or partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild; a parent, child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild of the physician’s spouse or partner; [...]