Professional Standards Regarding Referral and Consultation for Patients with a Family Physician Preamble This professional standard sets out the professional obligations of physicians when referring patients or seeing patients in consultation with a primary care physician or another provider. The referral-consultation process requires an ongoing balance of shared care and responsibility between the referring and consulting physicians that may evolve as the patient’s [...]
Professional Standard Regarding Physician Co-operation with the College Preamble Self-regulation is a privilege of the medical profession which comes with responsibilities. This standard sets out the mandatory responsibilities of physicians that pertain to cooperation with the College. Physicians must: Complete the annual license renewal form accurately and honestly; Promptly inform the College of a change of address or changes to other contact information; Promptly notify the College of any change in practice status including retirement; Inform the College of the location of stored or transferred medical records upon practice closure, relocation or retirement; Cooperate with the requirements of the Physician [...]
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 or unethical, 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, incompetent or unethical, there is a professional obligation to report these concerns to the appropriate regulatory authority. These obligations arise from a responsibility to uphold patient safety and to protect the integrity of the health professions. Reporting to the College is not the same [...]
Professional Standards and Guidelines Regarding Third-Party Examinations and Reports Preamble This standard applies to all physicians who prepare third-party reports, or who conduct medical examinations for a third-party report. The standards and guidelines as set out in this document do not limit a physician’s mandatory reporting obligations. For the purposes of this document, the following definitions apply: “Third-party report” refers to medical information or a professional opinion, unrelated to the provision of health care, provided by a treating physician or independent medical examiner for the purposes of an external process such as applications for insurance benefits or legal proceedings. “Treating physician” is [...]
Guidelines Regarding Reporting Requirements for Nova Scotia Physicians Preamble Physicians are responsible to report in many clinical and professional situations. Listed below are hyperlinks to statutes that outline the physician’s responsibilities. This document does not represent a full list of information physicians may be expected to report in accordance with institutional, hospital policies or programs. Physicians are encouraged to seek independent legal advice if they find themselves in a situation of potential compromise. Index of Relevant Legislation and Associated Sections This policy applies to all physicians when accepting new patients at any point during their practice. Reporting of Suspected Abuse - Adults
Professional Standard on Physician Obligations Regarding Certification of Death Background: The Importance of the Medical Certificate of Death A completed Medical Certificate of Death is a permanent legal record of the death of an individual. It records the personal information about the deceased and the details of the circumstances of death that are legally required to issue a burial permit and to settle the estate, insurance, and pensions. A completed Medical Certificate of Death is required before visitation and funeral arrangements can be finalized and before funeral directors can prepare the remains of the deceased. Death registration forms, specifically the Medical Certificate of Death, are also the source of mortality statistics. These statistics form the basis [...]