We protect the public and promote the safe and ethical delivery of quality medical care by registrants in Manitoba.
Conversion or cancellation
In terms of conversion between classes, this can only occur based on statutory authority.
Full (Practicing) Class Registrants
Under the Regulated Health Professions Act and CPSM General Regulation, the certificate of practice of a registrant in the Full (Practicing) Class remains valid even if they take a leave of absence. For full registrants, it can only be cancelled where statutory criteria are met, for example, cancellation in the disciplinary context, non-renewal, or by way of voluntary surrender.
Regulated, Associate and Provisional Registrants
For regulated associate and provisional registrants, a leave of absence can have implications for both your certificate of registration and certificate of practice. For these registration classes, a leave of absence will, in most cases, result in automatic conversion to a non-practicing class or, possibly, cancellation of registration altogether. If this applies to you, contact CPSM for more information when planning for a leave of absence.
The public profile indicates if you are in a practicing or non-practicing class of registration but will otherwise not indicate whether you are taking a leave of absence. It is up to you to communicate that information to patients and other applicable individuals in accordance with the Standard of Practice for Practice Management.
While the leave of absence is not noted on the public profile, if a patient contacts CPSM for information, they would be advised that a leave of absence was reported, though the reason cannot be disclosed. CPSM would provide information to the patient, as reported, about any known alternative care arrangements and the location of patient records. CPSM would suggest that further information should be sought from the your practice setting. If that is not successful, CPSM would need to consider what further action may be required in the public interest.
Other challenges that may arise are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
When taking a leave of absence, you should be aware that if you are out of practice for three or more years, you become inactive and would require an assessment to re-enter practice. If you exclude an area of practice from their professional practice, you will become inactive in that area of practice after three years and would need an assessment before re-entering that area.
See the Practice Direction - Professional Practice and Inactivity for more details.
Dr. A is a full registrant in family practice who decides to take a temporary leave of absence from seeing patients on account of a medical illness, except they will address medication refills, diagnostic results, and outstanding documentation obligations. They are participating in CPSM's Physician Health Program. Dr. A is pursuing treatment and agrees to inform CPSM should they wish to re-enter their usual scope of practice.
In this case, their certificate of practice would remain valid unless they voluntarily surrendered it or failed to renew it. They would remain registered in the Full (Practicing) Class as long as their certificate of practice remains valid. Their public profile would remain posted and would not reflect the leave of absence. The certificate of practice is required if the registrant is performing clinical administrative tasks.
Dr. A provided appropriate information and notice as required under the Standard of Practice for Practice Management, including to his patients. Information in this regard was sent to CPSM. While the leave of absence is not noted on the Public Profile, should a patient contact CPSM for information, they would be advised that Dr. A is taking a leave of absence, though the reason cannot be disclosed. CPSM would provide information to the patient, as reported, about known alternative care arrangements and the location of patient records. CPSM would suggest that further information should be sought from the registrant's practice setting. If that is not successful, CPSM would need to consider what further action may be required in the public interest. Other challenges that may arise would have to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.