Dr. Benjamin Cavilla sanctioned for inappropriate conduct with patient

Edmonton, AB – A CPSA Hearing Tribunal has sanctioned Dr. Benjamin Cavilla, a family physician from Calgary, after he admitted to failing to maintain physician-patient boundaries and being intoxicated in the presence of a patient.

In 2021, Dr. Cavilla consumed cannabis prior to a planned virtual meeting with his patient and made personal, inappropriate disclosures to the patient during the meeting and afterwards via text messages. Also in 2021, Dr. Cavilla violated appropriate boundaries when he met his patient in a motel room for non-medical purposes and became intoxicated after ingesting cocaine in the presence of his patient. Dr. Cavilla did not report his conduct to CPSA, as required by CPSA’s Duty to Report Self standard of practice.

Dr. Cavilla admitted to the allegations and acknowledged that his actions were serious and unprofessional. The Tribunal accepted the joint submission on sanction put forward by both parties and their orders include the following:

• Dr. Cavilla’s practice permit is suspended for six months, which is considered served given the time Dr. Cavilla was out of practice during the proceedings.
• At his cost, Dr. Cavilla will undergo a multi-disciplinary assessment to determine his fitness to practise (this is complete).
• A condition requiring a CPSA-approved chaperone for all interactions with female patients (virtual or in-person) will remain on Dr. Cavilla’s practice permit until CPSA is satisfied the condition is no longer needed to ensure patient safety.
• Dr. Cavilla must participate in CPSA’s Health & Practice Conditions Monitoring program (formerly the Physician Health Monitoring Program) for a minimum of five years.
• Dr. Cavilla is responsible for half of the cost of the investigation and hearing.

Resources:
CPSA Hearing Tribunal decision