Overview

ETHICAL STANDARDS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT 

CPSM is mandated to regulate all physicians, residents, physician assistants and clinical assistants with a certificate to practice medicine in Manitoba, as well as medical students (CPSM registrants). Registrants must follow a code of ethics, rules and provincial legislation, primarily the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and bylaws, including:

  1. The Canadian Medical Association Code of Ethics and Professionalism  
  2. CPSM Standards of Practice of Medicine
  3. CPSM Practice Directions
  4. Provincial Regulations

OBJECTIVES

Effective regulation includes a robust complaints and investigations process that addresses concerns about the care and conduct of CPSM registrants. Addressing legitimate concerns raised against CPSM registrants ensures high professional standards and public trust in the profession are maintained.  

We strive to address complaints in a manner that is timely, efficient, fair and transparent.

Timely 

We aim to process complaints in a timely fashion without sacrificing thoroughness.

Efficient

Complaints are assessed by the level of risk and complexity and are directed to the appropriate resources. When possible and reasonable, the process attempts to resolve concerns informally through facilitated communication led by the medical consultant.  

Fair

The complaints process allows for informal resolution where appropriate and formal discipline where necessary to protect the public interest.

Fairness is extended to both the CPSM registrant and the complainant, whether the complaint comes from a patient, or is reported by a colleague or health institution. The complainant must provide enough details for the CPSM registrant to specifically address the issue(s) identified. A physician’s response to those concerns must be thorough and received in a timely manner. Both the complaint and the response are carefully considered before taking any action against a physician.

Transparent

We are committed to balancing transparency while protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the complainant and the CPSM registrant involved. Some aspects of our process are not made public because we are not legally permitted to publish the information.

Certain outcomes must be made public. Disciplinary actions against a physician, including censure or an inquiry panel decision following an inquiry, are published here.