Annual General Meeting Update

The CPSM annual general meeting was held on June 21 to review the fiscal year of May 1, 2021-April 30, 2022.

Major activities from every department were also reviewed. Below are a few highlights from each area. You can view the complete meeting package here. 

_REGISTRATION

 As of April 30, 2022, CPSM has 3157 physicians with a full Certificate of Practice (Regulated, Full and Regulated, Provisional registrants). This is up slightly from 3083 from the previous year. 

_{QUALITY - PHYSICIAN HEALTH PROGRAM}

The Physicians Health Program saw a 44% increase in referrals to the program. More registrants are seeing the value of the program and prioritizing their health while continuing to provide safe and effective care to patients. Self-referrals increased by 50% over the previous year, demonstrating engagement.

Cases of anxiety, depression, burnout and stress trended upward this year. Cases of cancer also increased, but this is likely due to the Duty to Report Self, Colleagues, or Patients Standard of Practice that went into effect July 2021 and lists cancer as an example of a reportable health condition.

The program is safe, confidential, and non-punitive. Only four out of 84 cases resulted in undertakings. 

_{Quality - General Prescribing Advice} 

The General Practices Advice portfolio is a part of the Prescribing Practices Program. It is educational, supportive, and based on the principle of capacity building. When registrants develop proficiency in managing complex clinical cases, it allows them to manage other similar cases effectively, with increased confidence. Registrants can then share their learning with colleagues they interact with via 'hallway consultation' and other practice-based interactions.

Demand for support has gone up 140% over the previous year. 81% of those cases resulted in either education or advice being provided, enhancing competency and safer prescribing practices.

CASE OUTCOMES 

The program supports and engages registrants, other healthcare professionals, patients, and members of the public by providing guidance/advice on various issues, including relevant collaboration with other regulatory colleges in the province. This collaborative approach promotes consistent messaging to interprofessional members of the care team. 

^{COMPLAINTS & INVESTIGATIONS}

During this fiscal year, changes were made to CPSM processes for addressing complaints to facilitate a more transparent and efficient use of the processes in The Regulated Health Professions Act ("RHPA"). The RHPA sets out what actions the Registrar may take when a complaint is received. This list reflects the four categories of actions that can be taken: 

FACILITATED COMMUNICATION

Encourages communication between the complainant and registrant to resolve the complaint.

REFERRAL TO THE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE

Where an informal resolution is considered appropriate based on the concerns raised, the complaint is referred to the Complaints Committee.

REFERRAL TO THE INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE

Where the concerns are not suitable for informal resolution and/or the powers of the Investigation Committee may be required for a complete review.

DISMISSAL

In cases where a complaint is trivial, vexatious, or there is no evidence or insufficient evidence of conduct about which a finding could be made at a disciplinary hearing, it can be dismissed (at the Registrar's discretion).  

There was an increase in new complaints received over previous years. A new online tool for submitting complaints was launched in August 2021, significantly increasing the number of complaints received. Of the 360 new complaints, 287, or 80%, were submitted online.

Complaints were directed as follows:

16% Facilitated Communication

44% Complaints Committee

37% Referred to Investigations Committee

3% Dismissed 

COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE 

See the image below for outcomes of complaints referred to the Complaints Committee. 

Investigations Committee 

See the image below for outcomes of complaints referred to the Investigations Committee.