CLOSE UP
Q&A
Q: How are you enjoying your new
role here?
A: I like it. I am still very much in
listening mode because there is such a steep
learning curve here. But I am excited about
using my experience in a way that is of service
to medical regulation and the public interest.
And my new colleagues are great. The people
who work here are clearly dedicated to do-
ing the right thing. They have also been very
welcoming and invaluable in bringing me up
to speed.
Q: How are we using the experience and
knowledge of our Medical Advisors to
best effect?
A: The role of the MA is evolving at the Col-
lege. We are seeing more opportunities for
the doctors on staff to contribute a real world
context to the discussions of individual cases.
With their experience, they recognize when the
circumstances that have led to a bad outcome
are within the control of the doctor as com-
pared to those situations which appear to have
come about as a result of a particular system
constraint, for example.
Q: And how does that align with the right
touch regulation framework that we have
recently adopted?
A: It allows for a more proportionate regula-
tory response. The MAs can distinguish those
situations that are truly concerning from those
that pose low risk or perhaps no risk at all.
They understand that most situations don’t
call for a heavy hammer. And of course, with
the ability to efficiently identify the level of re-
sponse needed, we can devote more bandwidth
to dealing with those cases that do demand
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DIALOGUE ISSUE 1, 2019
a greater urgency in ensuring public
safety.
Q: Do you think this more nuanced
approach can strengthen our relation-
ship with the profession?
A: I think a smarter use of resources means
better regulation for both the public and doc-
tors. Of course, our obligation to the public
is of paramount importance, but if this new
approach has the effect of improving rela-
tions with the profession, I would be thrilled.
Frankly, it is pretty discouraging to hear a
physician say that receiving an envelope from
the College is so upsetting that it can ruin
the rest of their day, even after it is revealed
to simply contain a receipt for an invoice. A
better relationship with the medical profession
should be expected to lead to more construc-
tive interaction with physicians, and that is
good for health care in Ontario.
Q: Is it possible to carry out the duties of
a regulator without being perceived as
intimidating?
A: In many cases, I think so. We are partners
in the same effort towards quality care and
system improvement. The vast majority of
physicians are in medicine for all the right
reasons and are just trying to provide good
care to their patients. The College is staffed
by people who want to help them succeed
and are, in fact, developing a variety of tools
to help them succeed. To me, that is the stuff
of collaboration, not division.
I do think ensuring a healthy system also
means allowing doctors latitude to provide
complex care for our patients with complex
conditions. We need to be very careful that