Glossary of Terms

A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · U · V · Z

A

Accredited Medical School
A medical school recognized by approved accreditation bodies and accepted by the College for licensure purposes.

Active Registration
Registration permits a physician or regulated health professional to practise within Prince Edward Island.

Applicant
An individual applying for registration, licensure, or another authorization from the College.

Assessment
A formal review of an applicant’s qualifications, competence, knowledge, skills, or practice readiness.

Associate Physician
A physician or qualified health professional who provides medical services under the supervision of a licensed physician within an approved role.

Atlantic Registry
A licensing framework that allows eligible physicians to practise across the Atlantic provinces under a streamlined registration process.

Audit
A review conducted by the College to ensure compliance with professional, regulatory, or continuing competence requirements.

B

Bylaw
A rule established by the College that supports and administers legislation governing the profession.

C

Certificate of Professional Conduct (CPC)
A document issued by the College confirming a registrant’s registration history and professional standing.

Certificate of Registration
Official authorization issued by the College permitting an individual to practise within Prince Edward Island.

Clinical Assistant
A physician or qualified health professional who provides medical services under the supervision of a licensed physician within an approved role.

Clinical Competence
The knowledge, skills, judgment, and abilities required to provide safe and effective patient care.

College
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Prince Edward Island, responsible for regulating the medical profession in the public interest.

Complaint
A concern submitted to the College regarding the conduct, competence, or care provided by a regulated health professional.

Conflict of Interest
A situation in which personal, financial, or other interests could improperly influence professional judgment.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Educational activities undertaken by health professionals to maintain and improve knowledge and skills throughout their careers.

Credential Verification
The process of confirming the authenticity of educational qualifications, training, certifications, and professional credentials.

Currency of Practice
Evidence that a practitioner has recently engaged in clinical practice and maintained current competence.

D

Delegation
The process by which a regulated professional authorizes another qualified individual to perform specific clinical activities.

Investigation Committee
A committee responsible for hearing allegations of professional misconduct or incompetence and determining outcomes.

Documentation
The recording of patient care, clinical decisions, and professional activities in accordance with legal and professional requirements.

E

Medical Educational Registration (Students)
Registration that permits medical students to observe the practice of medicine within a supervised educational or training program.

English Language Proficiency (ELP)
Evidence that an applicant can communicate effectively in English to provide safe patient care.

Ethics
Principles and standards that guide professional behaviour and decision-making.

F

Fitness to Practise
The ability of a registrant to safely and competently provide care without impairment affecting professional performance.

G

General Registration
A registration category that authorizes independent practice and full participation in professional activities.

Good Character
Evidence demonstrating honesty, integrity, professionalism, and suitability for registration.

Good Standing
A status indicating that a registrant meets all regulatory requirements and is not subject to significant disciplinary restrictions.

H

Health Information
Personal information relating to an individual’s physical or mental health and healthcare services.

Hearing
A formal proceeding where evidence is reviewed and decisions are made regarding regulatory matters.

I

Independent Practice
Professional practice conducted without supervision or oversight requirements.

Incompetence
A finding that a registrant lacks the knowledge, skill, or judgment required to practise safely.

Investigation
A formal process used to gather and assess information relating to a complaint or concern.

J

Jurisprudence
Knowledge of the laws, regulations, standards, and ethical obligations governing professional practice.

L

Licensure
The process of obtaining authorization to practise from the College.

Locum Physician
A physician who temporarily provides temporary medical services in place of another physician.

M

Medical Degree
A recognized degree in medicine that satisfies the educational requirements for registration.

Medical Professional Corporation
A corporation through which eligible physicians may conduct their medical practice in accordance with applicable legislation and College requirements.

Medical Record
The documentation relating to a patient’s healthcare assessment, treatment, and outcomes.

Medical Staff Privileges
Authorization granted by a healthcare facility allowing a physician to provide services within that facility.

Misconduct
Behaviour that violates professional, ethical, legal, or regulatory standards.

N

NAC Examination
The National Assessment Collaboration examination used to evaluate internationally trained medical graduates.

O

Office Assessment
A review of a physician’s practice environment, records, and systems to ensure compliance with standards.

Open Complaint
A complaint that remains under review and has not yet reached a final disposition.

P

Patient Safety
The prevention of harm to patients through safe, effective, and quality healthcare practices.

Physician Assistant (PA)
A regulated healthcare professional who provides medical services under physician supervision.

Practice Description
A document outlining the duties, responsibilities, and scope of practice of a supervised practitioner.

Practice Ready Assessment (PRA)
An assessment process used to determine whether an applicant is prepared for independent practice.

Practice Restriction or Condition
A limitation imposed on a registrant’s practice activities.

Privacy
The protection and appropriate handling of personal and health information.

Professional Conduct
Behaviour expected of registrants in accordance with ethical and professional standards.

Professional Misconduct
Conduct that falls below expected professional standards and may result in regulatory action.

Professional Standard
A mandatory expectation established by the College regarding professional behaviour or practice.

Provisional Registration
A licence that permits practice subject to specific conditions or requirements.

Public Register
The official record of registrants maintained by the College and available to the public.

Q

Quality Assurance
Programs and activities designed to promote ongoing competence and quality patient care.

R

Referral
The process of directing a patient to another healthcare professional or service for assessment or treatment.

Registrant
An individual who is registered or licensed with the College.

Registration
The process by which an individual becomes authorized to practise under the College’s authority.

S

Scope of Practice
The activities that a regulated health professional is educated, authorized, and competent to perform.

Sexual Misconduct
Conduct of a sexual nature by a registrant that violates professional boundaries and regulatory standards.

Source Verification
The confirmation of credentials directly from the issuing institution or approved verification service.

Specialist Certification
Recognition of advanced training and qualifications in a medical specialty.

Standards of Practice
The minimum expectations for safe, competent, and ethical professional practice.

Supervision
Oversight provided by an authorized professional to support and monitor another practitioner’s work.

U

Undertaking
A formal commitment made by a registrant to comply with specific conditions or requirements.

V

Virtual Care
Healthcare services delivered through telephone, video, or other electronic communication technologies.

Z

Zero Tolerance Policy
A policy indicating that specific conduct, such as sexual abuse of patients, will not be accepted and may result in serious regulatory consequences.