feature
difficulty in appreciating that the information must be kept confidential, even if
other family members or others close to the
physician insist on knowing ‘what is going
on’ in relation to the individual’s health;
and
• Physician reluctance to make a mandatory
report (e.g., an impairment affecting the
individual’s ability to drive, or a suspicion
of child abuse).
When the standard of care has been adversely
impacted, this can result in poorer quality
health care for the patient.
“We understand that these limitations may
be frustrating for physicians who only wish to
be of assistance to the people they love, but
our position is that a physician’s best intentions can result in bad medicine,” said Dr.
Carol Leet, College President.
Six Things to Know about our draft policy:
1.
2.
3.
Defines family members and others
close to the physician as having a
relationship of such a nature that it
would reasonably affect the physician’s professional judgment to provide treatment to that individual.
Prohibits physicians from providing
treatment for themselves or family
members, except in the limited
circumstances of a minor condition
or emergency and where another
qualified health-care professional is
not readily available.
Advises physicians to carefully consider any other relationships (others
close to them) of such a nature
that would reasonably affect the
physician’s professional judgment
and prohibits treatment to those
individuals.
4.
5.
6.
Advises physicians that relationships can change over time and
may need to be reassessed.
Advises physicians that treating
spouses or sexual/romantic partners beyond the limited exceptions of a minor condition or an
emergency, and where another
qualified health-care professional
is not readily available, is sexual
abuse under the RHPA.
Clarifie ́ѡ