Share
Back to All News & Events
Medical Matters: Civility and professionalism in today’s complex practice environment
Back to Messenger
April Messenger 2026, Medical Matters |
Posted April 9, 2026
Read time: 2 minutes
Since stepping into the role of CPSA Registrar & CEO last fall, I’ve had the opportunity to hear directly from many of you about the realities of practising medicine in Alberta today. I know the pressures are significant. Growing demands, system complexity and ongoing change are affecting individuals and teams in very real ways. We heard similar sentiments in our recent regulated member survey, and I want to sincerely thank those who were in a position to provide us with invaluable feedback.
Amid these challenges, we are hearing concerns about a decline in civility in some interactions between colleagues. I want to acknowledge how strain and strong emotions can shape how we communicate, while also reinforcing something fundamental to our shared work: respectful, professional relationships are essential to safe, high-quality patient care.
The Canadian Medical Association’s Code of Ethics and Professionalism and CPSA’s Standards of Practice call on us all to communicate respectfully and to contribute to environments that are safe, collaborative and psychologically supportive. These expectations hold even, and especially, when we disagree or are navigating system pressures.
Each of us plays a role in maintaining a culture of civility. This includes a shared responsibility to uphold systems and processes that support safe patient care and addressing instances of unprofessional conduct through appropriate channels.
CPSA’s ongoing role is to assess concerns about incivility when they are raised to us in relation to the Code and the Standards of Practice, and to support physicians in meeting professional standards.
We recognize the challenges you are facing and appreciate the care, dedication and professionalism you bring to your work every day. Thank you for your continued commitment to one another and to the patients and communities you serve.
Can you give an example of what civility concerns are arising?
Thank you for reading Messenger.
With challenges affecting the current practice environment, we are hearing civility concerns arising between providers for a variety of reasons. These include topics such as disagreements related to how individuals choose to handle contract options, situations in which physicians threaten complaints against colleagues (e.g. in relation to the completion of patient-related forms), communication concerns related to patient handovers and differing expectations regarding responsibility for patient care. Another comment on this article details concerns regarding colleagues speaking negatively about their peers to patients, creating distrust in an already difficult work environment
These issues are occurring across all levels—among colleagues, peers and medical leaders. In this context, it is especially important to pause, reflect and respond thoughtfully rather than react in the moment. Taking a collaborative approach to working through disagreements is essential to maintaining professionalism. When things are working well, the healthcare team works respectfully and without fear of retaliation. Patient safety concerns can be raised, and meaningful feedback is accepted and actioned. The team communicates to support patient care and each other.
Given the broader pressures facing the healthcare system, we must engage constructively with one another and remain focused on solutions. Trust and respect are a currency in this profession that cannot be overstated.
Please comment on peers commenting on the care provided by other peers when seeing a patient Casual or off hand comments on the care or diagnostic acumen of other physicians is interpreted by patients as not having had proper care and leads to distrust. I have personally witnessed this in the ER where physicians have criticized the pre-hospital care provided on patients. This is not acceptable
Thank you for reading Messenger and sharing your experience and thoughts. The issue you have raised regarding peers making casual or off-hand remarks about a colleague’s care or diagnostic acumen are good examples of how important professionalism is. These types of comments can create patient and healthcare team distrust, and impact patient care. Physicians have a responsibility to foster respectful interactions, including when speaking about peers to patients.
When a physician has a serious concern about care provided by another physician, as per CPSA’s Duty to Report a Colleague standard of practice, it’s important for them to log their concern through the appropriate channels within their work or practice, or fill out CPSA’s Notification of Concern form.