Standards of Practice and Practice Guidelines
A Standard of Practice is the minimum standard of professional behaviour and ethical conduct on a specific issue expected by the College.
A Practice Guideline is a recommendation developed by the College with which members should be familiar and follow whenever and wherever possible and appropriate.
Standards and Guidelines
Code of Ethics
The College’s Code of Ethics defines “professional misconduct”, “conduct unbecoming a medical practitioner”, “professional incompetence” and “incapacity or unfitness to engage in the practice of medicine”.
In addition to this Code of Ethics, the Canadian Medical Association’s Code of Ethics and Professionalism has been adopted by the College as a compilation of guidelines providing a common ethical framework for physicians.
| Additional Information | |
|---|---|
| CMA Code of Ethics and Professionalism | |
| By-Law 5: Code of Ethics |
Mandatory Reporting
Physicians have a legal and professional obligation to maintain the confidentiality of patient information. There are circumstances, however, where physicians are required to report particular events or clinical conditions to the appropriate government or regulatory agency.
The list below does not represent an exhaustive list of physicians’ legal responsibilities with respect to mandatory reporting. Physicians must stay informed of their duties and should seek the guidance of legal counsel or the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) where necessary.