Standards of Practice and Practice Guidelines
A Standard of Practice is the minimum standard of professional behaviour and ethical conduct on a specific issue expected by the College.
A Practice Guideline is a recommendation developed by the College with which members should be familiar and follow whenever and wherever possible and appropriate.
Standards of Practice
Complementary & Alternative Medicine (2017)
Dispensing of Medications by Physicians (2018)
Ending the Physician-Patient Relationship (2017)
Medical Assistance in Dying (2017)
Medical/Surgical Procedures in Non-Hospital Facilities (2018)
Methadone Maintenance Treatment (2018)
Physician Treatment of Self, Family Members or Other Close to Them (2017)
Professional Responsibilities in Medical Education (2017)
Withdrawal of Physician Services During a Job Action (2018)
Practice Guidelines
Closure of Medical Practice and Extended Leave from Practice (2017)
Independent Medical Examinations (2019)
Medical Marihuana: Advisory and Interim Guideline
Physician Use of Social Media (2018)
Prescribing Opioids for Acute Pain (2017)
Mandatory Reporting
Physicians have a legal and professional obligation to maintain the confidentiality of patient information. There are circumstances, however, where physicians are required to report particular events or clinical conditions to the appropriate government or regulatory agency.
The list below does not represent an exhaustive list of physicians’ legal responsibilities with respect to mandatory reporting. Physicians must stay informed of their duties and should seek the guidance of legal counsel or the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) where necessary.
Duty to Report a Colleague (2018)
Child and Youth Abuse and Neglect
Public Health Protection and Promotion Act
Code of Ethics and Professionalism
The College has adopted the Canadian Medical Association’s Code of Ethics and Professionalism as a compilation of guidelines providing a common ethical framework for physicians.