Health & Practice Conditions Monitoring

We encourage physicians to contact all available resources, including:

• AMA’s Physician and Family Support Program (PFSP) | Phone: 1-877-767-4637
• The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) for legal counsel | Phone:  1-800-267-6522

It is CPSA’s responsibility to ensure patients receive safe care. Under the Continuing Competence standard of practice, a regulated member must participate in a competence assessment when directed to do so (which in this case refers to participation in health and/or biological monitoring). Failure or refusal to comply with Continuing Competence program requirements is considered unprofessional conduct and may result in a referral to Professional Conduct under the Health Professions Act (HPA).

Any costs associated with independent medical examinations, health and/or biological monitoring  are set by the third-party service providers, CPSA is not involved in the determination of fees. The Alberta Medical Association has a guideline for uninsured services fees.

As per the Continuing Competence standard of practice (clause 16), these costs are the responsibility of the regulated member.

Historically, CPSA operated PHMP primarily in-house. Starting in late 2023, CPSA began transitioning health assessments, fitness-to-practise assessments and biological monitoring functions to external service providers. The program is now called Health & Practice Conditions Monitoring (HPCM).

In addition to ensuring compliance with updates to legislation, these changes align with available and prevailing approaches to physician health programs in North America, and best practices in safety-sensitive industries.

Now diagnosis, treatment and whether a regulated member’s health condition adversely impacts their ability to practise will be objectively determined by independent, experienced and trusted service providers.

Moving these functions to providers independent of CPSA supports regulated members in feeling more comfortable self-reporting, and more inclined to seek support when they need it.

Privacy has always been an important part of our work, and this new process will further safeguard the confidentiality of a regulated member’s personal and health information.

Find out more about HPCM.