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Withdrawal of Registrant Services

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Prince Edward Island (the College) uses, as its ethical guide, the CMA Code of Ethics and Professionalism (2018) as developed by the Canadian Medical Association.

Fundamental Commitments of the Medical Profession

  • Consider first the well-being of the patient; always act to benefit the patient and promote the good of the patient.
  • Take all reasonable steps to prevent or minimize harm to the patient; disclose to the patient if there is a risk of harm or if harm has occurred.

Professional Responsibilities

  1. Having accepted professional responsibility for the patient, continue to provide services until these services are no longer required or wanted, or until another suitable registrant has assumed responsibility for the patient, or until after the patient has been given reasonable notice that you intend to terminate the relationship.
  2. Act according to your conscience and respect differences of conscience among your colleagues; however, meet your duty of non-abandonment to the patient by always acknowledging and responding to the patient’s medical concerns and requests whatever your moral commitments may be.
  3. Provide whatever appropriate assistance you can to any person who needs emergency medical care.
  4. Recognize that conflicts of interest may arise as a result of competing roles (such as financial, clinical, research, organizational, administrative or leadership).
  5. Enter into associations, contracts and agreements that maintain your professional integrity, consistent with evidence-informed decision-making, and safeguard the interests of the patient or public.
  6. Support the profession’s responsibility to promote equitable access to health care resources and to promote resource stewardship.
  7. Contribute, individually and in collaboration with others, to improving health care services and delivery to address systemic issues that affect the health of the patient and of the populations, with particular attention to disadvantaged, vulnerable, or underserved communities.

Definition – Withdrawal of Services during Job Actions

The temporary discontinuance of medical services for the sole purpose of applying pressure on one’s employer during times of negotiation.

Preamble

The College acknowledges the right of registrants to withdraw services under specific circumstances. It also acknowledges its obligation to communicate clearly to all parties what is expected from the medical profession in Prince Edward Island during any withdrawal of services.

The College reaffirms that discontinuing required services to existing patients without arranging alternative services or providing reasonable notice is unacceptable and may constitute Professional Misconduct.

What does the College expect from registrants who wish to withdraw services?

  • The College expects that individual registrants will adhere to their ethical obligations and avoid placing their patients at undue risk.
  • The College expects and is confident that registrants in Prince Edward Island will act responsibly toward patients during any withdrawal of services.
  • The College expects and is confident that registrants in Prince Edward Island will provide appropriate emergency care and will ensure that registrants are not abandoned.
  • The College expects that registrants will put in place a plan that will ensure patient access to emergency and other required services in circumstances where groups of registrants decide to withdraw services at the same time.
  • The College expects that any registrants choosing to withdraw services will inform patients of their decision and assure that patients are informed of the availability of emergency services.
  • The College expects that registrants will recognize the need for ongoing monitoring of their patients with conditions that could deteriorate during a delay in treatment resulting from a withdrawal of services.
  • The College expects and is confident that registrants will make appropriate arrangements for the treatment of patients under their care who remain hospitalized or who are receiving or completing a course of treatment and who may suffer if the course of treatment is not continued or completed.

What does the College expect from the registered members of its Council and Committees?

  • The College expects that registered members of the Council and its Committees will refrain from participating in a service withdrawal related to a job action in order to avoid a potential conflict of interest.

What can the public expect from the College during a withdrawal of registrant services?

  • The College will monitor the situation in Prince Edward Island communities by communicating with individual registrants, with the Medical Society of Prince Edward Island and with district health authority directors and administrators to address concerns regarding patient access to medical care and to resolve difficulties where possible.
  • If the College receives written complaints arising from a withdrawal of registrant services, it will apply its established investigative process to these complaints.

Acknowledgements

  • The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia
  • The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta
  • The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan
  • The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba
  • The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
  • The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Quebec
  • The College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick
  • The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia
  • The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland.

Document History

Approval Date: November 4, 2019

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