Annual Report 2020 | Page 4

Welcome to the 2020 CPSO Annual Report

It goes without saying that 2020 is a year we ’ ll never
during the crisis .
quality virtual care encounter
forget . The COVID-19 pandemic completely changed ,
looks like from these various
challenged , and , in some cases , overwhelmed
The pandemic touches many
points of view . As luck
health systems across the world . Here at CPSO ,
aspects of our Annual Report
would have it , CPSO ’ s own
we watched as this crisis pushed many of our
this year . How could it not ?
Telemedicine policy was due
physician colleagues and other health professionals
While we have once again framed
for a review starting in 2020 , and
in Ontario to the breaking point . No words can
it around our strategic priorities
we ’ ll no doubt look at this important
describe how horrendous it is to watch a patient
as an organization , this document is ,
document through the lens of COVID-19
suffer and ultimately succumb to this terrible disease .
in many ways , an account of how CPSO has
as we work to strengthen it and provide even
Nothing can prepare a doctor for the emotional toll
contributed to the fight against COVID-19 . Throughout
more meaningful guidance to the profession .
that comes with having to hold up a cell phone so
2020 , we addressed issues of licensure for thousands
family members can say goodbye to a loved one via
of new physicians to ensure we got them up and
As this annus horribilis came to an end , I handed the
FaceTime or Zoom rather than be there in person .
working in the health system as quickly and safely as
reins over to our 2021 CPSO president , Dr . Judith
Beyond the loss of life , this pandemic has brought
possible . We have collaborated with our health-care
Plante . It heartens me to see this organization elect
immeasurable loneliness , isolation , and feelings of
partners to address physician stress and burnout ,
back-to-back female presidents , even as I know how
despair to millions of Ontarians .
which poses a threat to patient safety and care even
much work we still need to do in the area of diversity ,
under the best of circumstances .
equity and inclusion . You can also read about our
Yet , as a profession , as people who have dedicated
efforts in that regard in this Annual Report . “ Diversity
our lives to providing care , we have answered the
We also recognized just how important virtual care
is our strength ” isn ’ t just a slogan . Having a variety of
call . It ’ s what we do . I cannot tell you how proud I am of my fellow physicians for the efforts they have put in , the sacrifices they have made , the long hours , the time apart from their own loved ones , to help fight this disease . And despite the unprecedented challenges of 2020 , it has been my honour to help lead this College , the largest medical regulator in Canada ,
and telemedicine have become in this new reality of social distancing . As you ’ ll read in our section on Meaningful Engagement , I had the honour of leading our Virtual Care Symposium in October 2020 . This virtual event brought together a diverse range of physicians , patients , and caregivers to discuss their experiences with virtual care and examine what a
perspectives , of points of view , of voices at the table ,
is paramount to helping us address the complex
issues and challenges that our health system faces .
This is more evident now than it has ever been .
Dr . Brenda Copps 2020 CPSO President
Photo : Arash Moallemi
4 // CPSO ANNUAL REPORT 2020