Professional Conduct reports – March 2025

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Recent hearing outcomes

CPSA sanctions Dr. Yifei Shi after criminal conviction

Family physician Dr. Yifei Shi was sanctioned by a CPSA Hearing Tribunal after admitting to unprofessional conduct.

In November 2022, Dr. Shi pled guilty and was criminally convicted of one count of defrauding the Government of Alberta between Jan. 1, 2016 and Jan. 1, 2017 of a value exceeding $5,000, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. When a physician is facing criminal charges, CPSA’s Complaints Director will initiate a formal complaint, but the complaints process is typically paused until criminal proceedings are complete.

Dr. Shi completed a practice visit with CPSA’s Individual Practice Review program in 2021, which found no concerns with her clinical practice. She also underwent an independent assessment in 2024 which concluded she was safe to practice, with certain conditions.

Dr. Shi acknowledged that her actions constituted unprofessional conduct and the Tribunal accepted a joint submission on sanction, which includes the following:

• Shi shall receive a reprimand.
• Shi will have conditions placed on her permit requiring that she practise in a multi-physician practice for at least one year and submit to random audits of her billing for five years.
• Shi must pay a fine of $10,000, along with 100 per cent of the costs of the investigation and hearing.
• If Dr. Shi does not comply with the orders of the Hearing Tribunal, or CPSA receives or opens a complaint regarding issues similar to those brought forward in this matter, Dr. Shi shall be required to serve a suspension of two months.

The Tribunal’s orders can be reviewed in full on CPSA’s website.

Dr. James Watt sanctioned by CPSA Hearing Tribunal

A CPSA Hearing Tribunal sanctioned diagnostic radiologist Dr. James Watt of Edmonton, after he admitted to unprofessional conduct.

Between January and April 2021, Dr. Watt provided patients with remotely-supervised ultrasound imaging at a diagnostic imaging facility in which he was the medical director, and allowed another radiologist working at the facility to do the same.

Under the Health Professions Act (HPA), a medical director is responsible for the overall operation and administration of their facility, which includes ensuring applicable accreditation standards are followed. CPSA’s accreditation standards for diagnostic imaging facilities require that supervision be done physically on-site by a radiological or imaging specialist, unless the facility is accredited for remote interpretation. The facility Dr. Watt oversaw did not have this accreditation.

Dr. Watt admitted to the allegations and the Hearing Tribunal accepted a joint submission on sanction. Their orders include the following:

• Watt will receive a reprimand.
• At his own cost, Dr. Watt must complete the extended version of the Risk Management Essentials course from PBI Education (an institution offering preventative and remedial education to clinicians).
• Watt is responsible for the costs of the investigation and hearing, totaling $20,000.

The Tribunal’s orders can be reviewed in full on CPSA’s website.

Learnings for the profession

A physician is responsible for all elements of their practice, including those that extend beyond the provision of front-line care. Accurate billing and compliance with any applicable regulations and standards can have an impact on patients, so if there is confusion or a lack of understanding of what is required from an administrative perspective, it is important to seek clarification, access resources and ensure fulfilment of all regulatory requirements. Physicians who need support with billing can reach out to the Alberta Medical Association, and questions about CPSA standards can be directed to our Support team at support@cpsa.ca.