Information for Albertans

If you’re using an online service or app, take the time to read and understand the privacy
policy. Typically, you will be asked if you agree to the terms and conditions of the policy
when you sign up. The best privacy policies are written in plain language. If it’s too
technical and difficult to understand, you might want to reconsider using the service.

Your doctor should also tell you if your information will be shared with any other healthcare
professionals or used for any purposes other than your care.

Anyone who wants to know more about virtual care can review our standard of practice, outlining our expectations of physicians providing this care, or our advice document for Albertans on virtual care.

For more information, contact Chantelle Dick, Standards of Practice Advisor at standardsofpractice@cpsa.ab.ca.

Patients have the best outcomes when their care is coordinated, so it’s a good idea to tell your primary doctor if you’re receiving care or advice from any other doctor, regardless of format or location. It’s likely the doctor providing virtual care will ask you the name of your primary doctor to keep them informed about your care. You can also ask for a summary of your care and provide it to your primary doctor yourself. That way, your doctors will better understand your medical needs and coordinate their care for you.

Anyone with concerns about the care provided by an Alberta physician can file a complaint. If the care was provided by a doctor who is not licensed in Alberta, we can help direct you to the appropriate regulatory body.

If a PA in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is seeing civilian patients in Alberta, they must register with CPSA.

To submit your Overseas Medical Attestation report, read through the information below and send your report to CPSA by mail or courier.

• The form submitted must be the original document with the physician’s physical (wet) signature.
  • The physician can follow the instructions outlined in the physician FAQ here.
• CPSA only reviews the medical form signed by the physician. It is not necessary to include additional pages.
  • CPSA’s role is to verify that the medical exam was performed by a physician licensed to practice in Alberta.
• Upon receipt of the medical report, CPSA will:
  • verify that the physician holds an active license to practice within Alberta and
  • affix our signature, stamp and seal the report.
• The medical report and documents will be returned via the mailing or courier method provided. You must include a pre-paid return envelope along with the document.
  • The pre-paid envelope can have any return address for where you want it to be returned. Ensure you include:
    • Your address
    • VISA or employment office
      • Make sure to include all necessary documents/results, etc., within the package.
    • Company or individual helping with the application
      • Make sure to include all necessary documents/results, etc., within the package.
  • If no pre-paid envelope is provided, CPSA will return the document to the sender via regular Canada Post mail.
  • We recommend that the patient note any tracking numbers so they can view where the package is on its shipping route.
• CPSA aims to process the document and return it within 2 business days.
  • Time frames for returning the document vary depending on the speed of service chosen by the courier company and their availability to collect the document.
• In the event you must come in person to receive your attestation, please call 1-800-561-3899 and our support team will be happy to help you book an appointment.
  • CPSA is an appointment-only organization. We will try our best to accommodate your request.
  • Appointments are available on Tuesday afternoons, 1 pm – 3 pm, and Thursday mornings, 9 am – 12 pm.
  • If you are unable to make your 15-minute timeslot, please call 1-800-561-3899 and our support team will help you rebook your appointment.

How to mail or courier your report to CPSA:

Choose any mail or courier service type from the following list. Note: CPSA does not accept medical reports electronically, by fax or by copy versions.

• • Canada Post Regular Mail
  • Canada Post XpressPost
  • Purolator
  • FedEx

Mailing address:
CPSA (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta)
Attention: Reception
2700 – 10020 100 ST NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 0N3

Additional information:

• CPSA is unable to attest other documents outside of the Overseas Medical Attestation.
• There is no charge for this service.

CPSA must have access to patient information and records to properly investigate a complaint, and the physician involved in the care outlined in the complaint must also have access to this information to respond to the complaint. When a complaint is filed, complainants are asked to consent to the access and release of applicable patient records and medical information.

Patient privacy is taken very seriously. Any health information gathered as part of a complaint investigation is done so in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Health Information Act.

Under the Health Professions Act, the Complaints Director is delegated broad authority with respect to the complaints process, including but not limited to:

• Determining what action to take when a complaint is received.
• Making recommendations regarding interim suspensions or interim practice conditions.
• Conducting investigations or appointing an investigator to conduct an investigation, and making a determination about the complaint based on the results.
• Preparing written reasons if a complaint is dismissed.
• Presenting evidence and making submissions to a Hearing Tribunal.
• Making submissions at an appeal to CPSA Council or to the Alberta Court of Appeal.

The Complaints Director is not available to respond to general complaint inquiries.

Concerns about the care provided by a physician assistant can be directed to CPSA as they fall under our regulation.

For questions or concerns about care provided by non-physicians and/or standards of accommodation received by a patient in a hospital, nursing home, non-hospital surgical facility or community program administered by, or under contract to, Alberta Health Services (AHS) or Covenant Health, contact AHS or Covenant Health, depending on the facility. If the concern is regarding a privately-owned facility, then please contact the management of the facility directly.

You may also contact the regulatory authority (e.g. Alberta College of Pharmacy for pharmacists, the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta for nurses) of an individual healthcare provider involved.