CPSO Policy on Mandatory Reporting - Policy #10-00
Physicians have a legal, ethical and professional duty to keep information about their patients confidential.
However, under certain circumstances, physicians are required by law to report particular events or conditions to the appropriate government or regulatory agency.
All mandatory reporting constitutes an exemption to normal physician-patient confidentiality requirements.
Breach of physician-patient confidentiality in these circumstances does not constitute professional misconduct.
Conversely, NOT reporting something that is required by law to be reported can result in the imposition of fines and/or charges of professional misconduct.
You MUST report:
Suspected child abuse or neglect
Suspected elder abuse in nursing homes
Health conditions that make it dangerous for an individual to drive
Health conditions that make it dangerous for an individual to fly an airplane, or to perform the duties of an air traffic controller
Births, deaths and stillbirths
Health card fraud
Termination of employment of a health professional due to incapacity or incompetence
Sexual abuse by a health professional[2]
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2. Content for this section was provided by Dr. Janet Dollin, Office of Gender and Equity Issues, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
