Letter from CPSA
Hello, Alberta. We’re the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA), and we want to take a moment to introduce ourselves, just in case we haven’t had the chance to connect before.
While we’ve been around for over 100 years, you might not see us every day, and that’s okay — our work happens mainly in the background, making sure that whenever you or your loved ones receive care from a doctor, it’s safe, trustworthy and meets quality standards that you deserve. We’re here to protect the public, guiding and supporting Alberta’s physicians and physician assistants, to provide the care you need and deserve.
Our role, granted by the Health Professions Act, is all about ensuring quality and maintaining physician accountability. In fact, we aren’t alone; every province across Canada has one of us, working hard to: hold doctors to ethical and practice standards, support them in maintaining relevant skills and help Albertans when concerns arise with the care they’ve received by investigating complaints and helping to resolve them with a focus on learning and improvement. We also issue practice permits to every doctor in Alberta who meets the necessary education and training requirements to keep you safe and work hard to ensure this process is timely and efficient.
At CPSA, we understand that trust in health care is precious. We don’t make decisions about your health — that’s between you and your doctor — but we make sure your doctor is ready, capable and supported to make the best decisions with you. We’re like a steady hand in the background, always working to uphold quality care, so you can feel confident when you visit your physician. We’re here to make sure that, for every Albertan, your physician is someone you can count on.
CPSA – Committed to Patient Safety
CPSA is here to make sure doctors in Alberta provide safe, reliable care.
Similar to a provincial registry giving drivers their license to be on the road, we give doctors their licenses, set guidelines for how they should practice and look into concerns from the public to help keep healthcare from their doctor safe.
While some might be unsure about our role, we’re focused on supporting doctors and protecting Albertans, so you can trust that your care is in good hands.
What does patient safety mean?
Patient safety means ensuring that when you receive care from a doctor, it’s done in a way that protects your health and well-being.
This includes making sure doctors are well-trained, following best practices and providing the right treatment without causing harm.
It’s about creating a healthcare system where mistakes are minimized, physician care is reliable, and you can trust that your safety is always a top priority.
What we do
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What we don’t do
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How is CPSA different from the Alberta Medical Association (AMA)?
The short answer is that CPSA protects patients by regulating doctors, whereas the Medical Association advocates for Alberta’s doctors.
CPSA’s primary responsibility is ensuring that doctors meet specific standards of competency, ethics, and professionalism. The CPSA issues licenses to physicians, investigates complaints, and enforces standards to protect your safety. Essentially, we make sure that physicians in Alberta practice medicine in a safe, competent, and ethical manner.
How does CPSA protect patient safety in Alberta?
We protect patient safety in Alberta in a number of ways. Ultimately, we safeguard patient safety by regulating who can practice, enforcing quality standards of care, and holding doctors accountable for their actions.
Licensing and Registration: We make sure that only qualified and competent doctors are licensed to practice in Alberta. Physicians must meet stringent educational, training, and ethical standards before being granted a license to practice in Alberta.
Practice Monitoring: We regularly monitor physicians through assessments, audits, and peer reviews. This ensures physicians maintain professional competence and continue to meet the required standards to keep Albertans safe.
Handling Complaints and Discipline: We investigate complaints about physicians’ conduct or care. If a doctor is found to have violated professional standards, we can take action, including suspensions, fines, or revoking their license.
Continuous Education: We require doctors in Alberta to engage in ongoing education to keep up with medical advancements and ensure that they use the latest, evidence-based practices for patient care — ensuring they are skilled and knowledgeable enough to care for you and your family.
Do other provinces in Canada have an organization like CPSA that oversees patient safety?
Yes! All provinces and territories in Canada have an organization similar to CPSA that oversees patient safety by regulating the practice of medicine.
These organizations, commonly referred to as Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, are responsible for licensing physicians, setting practice standards, and enforcing disciplinary measures to ensure that doctors maintain a high standard of care.
Who does CPSA report to?
CPSA operates as an independent regulatory body and does not directly report to any single organization or government entity. However, we are accountable to the public we serve, the Alberta government through legislation, and our internal governance structure.
- Public Accountability: Our primary accountability is to the public. Our role is to ensure patient safety by regulating physicians, managing complaints, enforcing medical standards, and ensuring professional conduct —acting in Albertans’ best interest.
- Government of Alberta: CPSA operates under the authority of the Health Professions Act (HPA), which is created and enforced by our provincial government. We must comply with this law and report activities to the Alberta government, ensuring we fulfill our mandate of protecting public safety.
- Internal Governance: We have an internal governance structure, including a council composed of elected physicians and public members appointed by the provincial government. This council oversees our operations, ensuring we are effective, transparent, and accountable to Albertans.
How CPSA helps keep Albertans safe?
We help ensure that the healthcare you receive from your doctor is safe, reliable, and meets high standards. By making sure physicians are qualified, accountable, and following the right practices, we protect your well-being. If there’s ever a concern with the care you or your loved ones receive, CPSA is here to listen and take action. Our work in the background helps build trust in the healthcare system, so you can feel confident in the care you get from your doctor.
Does CPSA strip licenses of Doctors who speak out about vaccines and off-label prescribing related to COVID-19?
To date, CPSA has not revoked any physician licenses for COVID-19-related complaints. Under the Health Professions Act, CPSA has an obligation to intake and investigate all complaints submitted by Albertans. If a complaint goes to a hearing, all discipline decisions, including the striking of any physician licenses, are posted on our website at https://cpsa.ca/albertans/albertan-complaints/discipline-decisions
Does CPSA regulate the use of Ivermectin in Alberta?
No. Ivermectin, just like any regulated drug in Alberta, is regulated by the Minister of Health under the Pharmacy and Drug Act and by Health Canada. CPSA’s role in prescribing any medication, including ivermectin, is to ensure that physicians are following the rules set by the Minister and by Health Canada. Physicians must also follow CPSA’s Standards of Practice.