CPSO Consults Public on Updates to Four Key Policies: #3 Third Party Medical Reports
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) is currently asking for feedback on the following four policies and their accompanying advice documents: Delegation of Controlled Acts; Professional Responsibilities in Medical Education; Third Party Medical Reports; and Telemedicine. The consultations were announced on September 17, 2020 and the deadline for providing feedback on the new draft policies is November 16, 2020.
Third Party Medical Reports
The CPSO has combined its current policies Third Party Reports and Medical Expert: Reports and Testimony into a single policy which sets out the expectation for all physicians who prepare third party medial reports, whether in the course of providing an opinion as a medical expert, conducting independent medical examinations (IMEs), preparing medical reports or testifying in legal proceedings. The new policy clarifies documentation requirements and that physicians must obtain express consent for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information or examinations for a third-party process.
The CPSO has highlighted the following other proposed changes:
Physicians conducting independent medical examinations or acting as a medical expert must have an active certificate of registration and have actively practiced within the requisite scope of practice and area of expertise within the past two years.
Imposing maximum timeframes for conducting IMEs and preparing third party medical reports:
60 days for third party medical reports that require IMEs.
45 days for third party medical reports that do not require IMEs.
Clinically significant findings discovered during an IME must be disclosed to the subject and subject’s family physician (with the subject’s consent).
Imposing transparency requirements for medical reports so that it is clear who contributed to the report and IME as applicable.
You can review the draft policy and provide your feedback here.
