Consultations
The College is seeking feedback on three draft Standards of Practice. We welcome your diverse opinions as we assess the College’s expectations of physicians on the topics of
Boundary Violations, Closure of Practice, and
Continuity of Care.
The College will consider all feedback submitted and incorporate changes to these documents to ensure they reflect current practice issues, embody the duties of medical professionalism, and are consistent with the College’s mandate to act in the public interest.
The draft Standards of Practice can be viewed below:
Boundary Violations (Amended)
This amended policy sets out the College’s expectations for physicians in establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries with patients. The amended policy includes a definition of a “patient” and a presumption regarding when a physician-patient relationship has ended for the purposes of sexual boundary violations.
Closing or Leaving a Medical Practice (Amended)
This amended policy sets out the College’s expectations for physicians who close their practice or take an extended (>3 month) leave from practice. The amended policy includes additional guidance on retention and transfer of medical records and management of laboratory and imaging reports.
Continuity of Care (New)
This new policy sets out the College’s expectations on a number of topics relating to continuity of care, including:
•
Referrals and Consultations;
•
Transfer of Care;
•
Availability and Coverage;
•
Management of Diagnostic Test Results; and
•
Walk-In Clinic Practices.
We invite your feedback on these draft Standards of Practice. Please submit your comments by email to
consultation@cpsnl.ca on or before January 22, 2021. All feedback will be acknowledged by return email.