CPSA cancels practice permit of Dr. Phu Truong Vu after finding of sexual abuse

Edmonton, AB – A CPSA Hearing Tribunal has ordered the cancellation of the practice permit and registration of Dr. Phu Truong Vu, a family physician from Calgary.

In 2022, Dr. Vu was found guilty of inappropriate and unsolicited behaviour during sensitive examinations of two patients. The second incident occurred after the 2019 implementation of An Act to Protect Patients, legislation which changed the definitions of sexual abuse and misconduct for regulated health professionals, and introduced mandatory sanctions. In this circumstance, Dr. Vu’s actions were found to meet the definition of sexual abuse under the Health Professions Act (HPA). Dr. Vu’s practice permit was immediately suspended under the HPA as of Aug. 29, 2022, pending the Tribunal’s decision on sanction.

After reconvening to consider submissions on sanction, the Tribunal ordered the cancellation of Dr. Vu’s permit to practise medicine in Alberta, as required under the HPA for a health professional found guilty of sexual abuse of a patient. Dr. Vu was also ordered to pay a lump sum of $10,000.

Dr. Vu has appealed the Tribunal’s order on sanction and the findings of unprofessional conduct to CPSA Council, while CPSA’s Complaints Director has appealed the Tribunal’s sanction decision on costs as being insufficient. The appeal will be heard in August 2024.

Resources (trigger/content warning: sexual abuse, sexual language):
CPSA Hearing Tribunal decision (sanction)
CPSA media release (September 2022)
CPSA Hearing Tribunal decision (merits)
An Act to Protect Patients