We protect the public and promote the safe and ethical delivery of quality medical care by registrants in Manitoba.
Taking a leave of absence from professional practice means you will be away from routine day-to-day professional duties and responsibilities for an extended period.
A leave from a particular practice setting may also be considered a leave of absence if you will be away from routine day-to-day professional duties and responsibilities in that practice setting.
In either situation, there are continuity of care concerns that must be addressed.
A leave of absence may be planned or unplanned.
What is meant by 'an extended period' will depend on your specific professional circumstances and is a question of sound clinical judgment for individuals. That said, an absence from practice for 90 days or more is deemed a leave of absence. Depending on the nature of your professional practice, a lesser period may be considered a leave of absence.
The reasons for taking a leave of absence can vary and may include personal or family reasons, health issues, further education or training, or other professional opportunities. Some examples include:
A leave of absence may also occur in the context of an administrative or statutory process (not including regulatory suspensions by CPSM).
CPSM's Standard of Practice for Practice Management has specific continuity of care requirements applicable to registrants reducing or narrowing their practice (see paragraph 3.2).
Taking a leave of absence differs from ceasing practice, for example retiring, in that there is a reasonable likelihood, or it is expected, that a registrant will return to their usual professional practice (i.e. when the leave is anticipated to be temporary).
Visit the retirement section for detailed information regarding retirement.
For more information on whether your time away from your practice would be considered a leave of absence, contact CPSM at 204-774-4344 or by email at registration@cpsm.mb.ca.