Dr. Tarek Bensasi sanctioned after admitting to unprofessional conduct

Edmonton, AB – Dr. Tarek Bensasi, a family physician from Edmonton, was sanctioned by a CPSA Hearing Tribunal after admitting to three counts of unprofessional conduct.

The Tribunal found that between 2018 and 2022, Dr. Bensasi allowed an international medical graduate who worked at his clinic as a clinical aid to provide care to several patients who were under the impression the aid was a licensed physician. The aid was not a regulated member of CPSA at the time, but Dr. Bensasi mistakenly believed they were permitted to provide certain medical services without supervision when this was not the case.

Dr. Bensasi also improperly submitted claims to the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan for services provided by the clinical aid, and created incorrect patient records stating he had seen and treated the patients.

The Tribunal accepted Dr. Bensasi’s admission to the charges and the joint submission on sanction, ordering the following:

• Dr. Bensasi’s practice permit is suspended for six months, with two months held in abeyance pending completion of the other sanctions. Dr. Bensasi is currently serving the remaining four months of his suspension.
• At his own cost, Dr. Bensasi must complete and unconditionally pass a program on ethics and boundaries. If Dr. Bensasi does not pass the program, he will be required to work one-on-one with a medical ethicist, also at his own cost.
• Dr. Bensasi is responsible for a portion of the costs associated with the investigation and hearing, in the amount of $10,000.

Resources:
CPSA Hearing Tribunal decision