Professional Conduct reports April 2021

Dr. Mohammed A.R. Sayeed guilty of unprofessional conduct

Dr. Mohammed A.R. Sayeed, a Family Physician from Lloydminster, was found guilty of unprofessional conduct by a CPSA hearing tribunal after engaging in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient and failing to report the sexual relationship to CPSA.

Background

The sexual relationship occurred in 2016 and was originally reported through a complaint to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS)—Dr. Sayeed holds a licence in both provinces as Lloydminster sits on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. Dr. Sayeed admitted to unprofessional conduct and had his CPSS licence revoked in September 2018. Dr. Sayeed was later reinstated by the CPSS.

CPSA was informed of the investigation by CPSS in June 2018 and Dr. Sayeed signed an undertaking with CPSA that required him to have a chaperone present with all female patients, caregivers, family members and guardians.

Upon completion of the CPSS hearing process, CPSA proceeded with its investigation into whether Dr. Sayeed failed to adhere to the standards of practice on sexual boundary violations and self-reporting, in addition to falsely reporting on his 2017 and 2018 annual renewal information form that he had not engaged in a sexual or inappropriate personal relationship with a patient.

Commentary

The medical profession has long acknowledged the dynamics involved in the physician-patient relationship, including power, authority, control and trust, absolutely must preclude sexual involvement with a patient. Requiring physicians to report a sexual relationship with a patient ensures CPSA can effectively implement our regulatory functions and protect Albertans. The standard of practice on Boundary Violations: Sexual provides physicians with expectations for the profession.

The hearing tribunal will reconvene at a later date to determine Dr. Sayeed’s sanction.

Dr. Keith Martin found not guilty of unprofessional conduct

Dr. Keith Martin, a Family Physician from Slave Lake, was found not guilty of unprofessional conduct by a CPSA hearing tribunal.

Background

It was alleged that in 2013, Dr. Martin struck a patient on the head during her attendance while being assessed and treated at the emergency room in Slave Lake, for head trauma from a slip and fall.

Commentary

The hearing tribunal concluded that while the patient was trying to be truthful in giving her evidence and truly believes she was struck by Dr. Martin, the evidence she provided was not reliable as she did not have an independent recollection of the events from 2013. In addition, the tribunal stated there were significant discrepancies in the patient’s evidence and that of the other witnesses, as well as the patient record.