What to Expect from PHMP

Yes, if your health providers confirm that you are effectively managing your health condition and able to provide safe patient care.

Most physicians can return to work with appropriate supports in place. PHMP may enter into an agreement with the physician to ensure they remain healthy and able to carry out their clinical duties.

Participating in our program is not likely to limit your ability to apply for a position. However, we may need to consider how your health might impact your prospective work, as well as the rules around disability and employment in Alberta.

As a physician, resident or medical student, yes, you should respond as soon as possible and in a timely manner.

A member of the PHMP clinical team (or designate) will ask you for more information to determine next steps. Our goal is to ensure you have the support you need to balance your health needs with your clinical responsibilities.

We may ask for your consent to seek additional information from your health providers. This is to ensure you are managing your health condition, and are able to provide safe patient care. Sometimes, regular monitoring is necessary to ensure you remain healthy and fit to practice.

For more information, see our Self-Reporting standard of practice.

A member of the PHMP clinical team will contact you to discuss the next steps. See more on what to expect.

A practice monitor is responsible for providing direct and/or indirect oversight to a physician whose practice is being monitored by CPSA for one or more reasons to maintain patient safety. Practice monitors observe all aspects of the monitored physician’s behaviour and provide beneficial, constructive support. CPSA enlists practice monitors as a mechanism for feedback to ensure the monitored physician is practising safely and effectively balancing their health with their clinical responsibilities.

Practice monitors’ duties consist of, but are not limited to, providing feedback, meeting with the monitored physician, watching for signs of concern (e.g., signs of impairment, poor decision making, noncompliance to practice conditions, etc.), advising CPSA of urgent concerns and providing verbal or written reports to CPSA’s Physician Health Monitoring program (PHMP) upon request.

Although both programs are confidential, offering support to physicians, residents and medical students with health conditions, there are some differences.

CPSA’s Physician Health Monitoring Program (PHMP):

• Is available for health conditions affecting medical practice
• Will connect with physicians directly and may ask for more information from treating practitioners
• Will refer physicians for an assessment, if needed (fitness to practice)
• Will administer monitoring when recommended by assessors

The Alberta Medical Association’s Physician and Family Support Program (PFSP): 

• Voluntary program offering support for health and wellness concerns
• Offers a 24/7 assistance line for physicians and eligible family members
• Provides confidential support and access to qualified therapists
• Case Coordination (CC) services are available for more complex health concerns
• May provide financial assistance to CC clients for assessments or treatment

However, with your consent, both PHMP and PFSP can work together to provide you the best support possible.

Dealing with a regulatory body such as CPSA can be stressful, so 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

If you have concerns about a colleague who may have a health condition affecting safe patient care, please contact PHMP. You can remain anonymous and your conversation will always be confidential.

In some circumstances, it is your duty to report another physician, for example:

• You must report another physician to CPSA when you reasonably believe their conduct puts patients at risk, or is considered unprofessional conduct under the Health Professions Act.
• You also have a duty to report to CPSA if you’re treating a physician who has a health condition that may impact the safety of their patients.

Taking a physician’s permit away is rare and a last resort. We may ask you to temporarily withdraw from practice until your health is stable, or until we get assurance from your health providers that you can practise safely.

On rare occasions, we may have to refer a matter to the Complaints Director under Section 118 of the Health Professions Act. This only happens if a physician will not voluntarily withdraw from practice and there is reason to believe patient safety is at risk.

Some health conditions require a period of medical leave or training modifications which may cause some delay. We understand the importance of your training and try to minimize the impacts. Our priority is to make sure there is no risk to your patients and you get the care you need.