Dialogue Volume 14 Issue 2 2018 | Page 60

DISCIPLINE SUMMARIES
physical examinations and assessments that seemed to be in an identical template for nearly every visit , missing vital signs , and a lack of any differential diagnosis and treatment plan in any of the entries .
It was found that Dr . Barnard failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession in his care of Patients D , E . and F .
DISGRACEFUL , DISHONOURABLE AND UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT Patient B became Dr . Barnard ’ s patient in 2012 and his wife , Patient C , became Dr . Barnard ’ s patient in 2013 . During a double appointment in 2013 , attended by both Patient B and C , Dr . Barnard became upset when asked to complete a Functional Abilities Form for Patient B . He told Patient B to “ come back when you have your head screwed on right .” Patient B and C left the office . A few days later , they received a letter from Dr . Barnard , sent by courier , terminating both patients from his practice . The letter and termination were unexpected . Prior to the termination , Dr . Barnard had requested a consultation with a specialist for Patient C . Shortly after the last appointment , and before receiving the termination letter , Patient C received a call from Dr . Barnard ’ s office indicating the date and time for the specialist consultation . On the scheduled date in July , Patient B and Patient C attended at the specialist ’ s office for the consultation . However , when they arrived they were told that although Patient C had been booked for an appointment , it had been cancelled . Dr . Barnard did not advise Patient C at any time that he had cancelled her consultation with the specialist . Dr . Barnard engaged in disgraceful , dishonourable and unprofessional conduct in the manner in which he terminated Patients B and C from his practice , in cancelling Patient C ’ s specialist consultation and in failing to notify her of the cancellation . On January 20 , 2017 Dr . Barnard entered into an undertaking to the College 2017 , by which he had agreed , among other things , that , effective March 17 , 2017 :
• he shall no longer practise family medicine and shall no longer bill the Ontario Health Insurance Plan . Dr . Barnard may only provide certain aesthetic and cosmetic services and may provide nutritional counselling . Dr . Barnard shall post a clearly visible sign in the waiting rooms of all his practice locations , which states as follows : " Dr . Barnard must not practise family medicine or provide any OHIP-insured service .”
ORDER In light of Dr . Barnard ’ s undertaking that , effective March 17 , 2017 , he shall no longer practise family medicine and shall no longer bill the Ontario Health Insurance Plan , the Committee ordered : a four-month suspension on Dr . Barnard ’ s certificate of registration ; terms , conditions and limitations on Dr . Barnard ’ s certificate of registration ; a reprimand ; and payment of $ 5,000 in costs to the College . The restrictions on Dr . Barnard ’ s practice include : no longer prescribing or recommending human chorionic gonadotropin for the purpose of weight loss ; having clinical interactions with no more than 48 patients per day , at a rate of no more than six patients per hour within each hour ; no longer issuing new prescriptions or renewing existing prescriptions for narcotic drugs , narcotic preparations , controlled drugs , benzodiazepines , other targeted substances and all other monitored drugs .
Dr . Barnard shall retain a clinical supervisor and only practise under the supervision of the supervisor for a period of four months . Approximately , six months after clinical supervision , Dr . Barnard shall undergo a period of reassessment . Dr . Barnard shall cooperate with unannounced inspections of his practice locations and practice charts . Dr . Barnard shall post a sign in the waiting room in a clearly visible location stating that Dr . Barnard must not prescribe the above-mentioned substances . Dr . Barnard shall consent to the College making inquiries of the OHIP , the Drug Program Services Branch , the Narcotics Monitoring System , and / or any person who or institution that may have relevant information , in order for the College to monitor and enforce his compliance with the terms of this Order . For complete details of the Order , please see the full decision at www . cpso . on . ca . Select Find a Doctor and enter the doctor ’ s name .
At the conclusion of the hearing , Dr . Barnard waived his right to an appeal and the Committee administered the public reprimand .
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DIALOGUE ISSUE 2 , 2018