LETTER: “Colleges are distorting patient care in Canada”

 

 

 

LETTER: Colleges are distorting patient care in Canada

 

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on May 10, 2013 for The Medical Post

 

 

 

Re: “Are the colleges ballooning out of control?” (April 23)

 

I read with interest the article about the colleges “ballooning out of control.” I have long been intending to write my own opinion piece on the subject (though anonymously, as I too live in fear of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario).

This hypermoralistic and bloated bureaucracy has gone too far in the direction of harsh punitiveness. For example, if there were some 20,000 complaints as indicated in the story between 2004 and 2011 and there are only about 25,000 MDs in Ontario, it implies that within a decade every single doctor will receive a complaint.

Are most doctors bad apples? How could the college maintain that the process is mostly valid given these numbers?

Everything in our society indicates that complaints are abused and people use them as vindictive tools; over-publicizing of the process has essentially made it easy for an angry individual to punish a doctor. Distortion is caused by the media hyper-informing the public of the same old news-selling story that bad doctors harm the public unregulated, when the opposite is true.

If there were some spirit of balance in the CPSO, this state of affairs would be tolerable and we doctors could work with confidence. But for colleges to take immaterial complaints seriously perpetuates a degradation of the profession. In the courts people are considered innocent until proven guilty; why the college’s harsh standard?

A frequently seen example in daily practice is the “threat of complaint” in which angry patients—for example, those demanding antibiotics—threaten to complain to the college if they don’t get their prescriptions. Most doctors cave in to save themselves the headache of a complaint. Does the college feel MDs giving in to such patients are innocent or rather lapsing in ethics, when they themselves are creating such a “reign of terror” in engendering the situation? Would they not agree they are distorting patient care for many of us in the same way over-litigiousness distorts health care in the United States?

Perhaps the CPSO doesn’t understand the distortions it is causing, in which case an open discussion with all Ontario MDs should be started.—Anonymous, MD, Toronto

                                                                                                                     ____________________

 

 

It’s a shame this physician feels he/she has to remain anonymous in this very reasonable, polite letter, too fearful to openly stand behind his/her opinions which are no doubt shared by many others. If a child were as fearful of a parent or a dog of its owner as physicians are of the College, there would be every reason to suspect “abuse”.

A physician who fears the College cannot be the “best” physician for his patients. He/she might fear to use initiative or simply comply with patients’ wishes – even if they are not in the patients’ best interest  -  only to avoid complaints. The result is the mediocre medical care Ontario has offered for years now as those who refuse to be intimidated leave for the U.S. or other locations. 

Perhaps the doctor who wrote this ”Letter” would feel differently if he/she had a peek at the following posts to see who/what the CPSO actually is and who/what his/her hard-earned money (no benefits, pension or other perks) is funding.  When analyzing “the College” and its “Employees”, “Respect” is not a word most would apply to the majority of College Employees and Council Members. :

http://badpatients.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/spotlight-on-the-luxurious-lifestyle-of-cpso-council-members/

http://badpatients.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/club-paradiso-80-college-st-minimum-work-for-maximum-perks-3/

 

It’s not unthinkable that DoctorsOntario -  after dealing with the OMA, will direct its full attention to the CPSO  (see link).

http://badpatients.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/ontario-medical-association-facing-castration/

 

Actually the College is even more frightened of its physicians. Some physicians have requested personal interviews to discuss minor “problems”  or disputes” with College Employees or its Registrar.  They have been rebuffed. The College much prefers to communicate via “formal”correspondence, intended to intimidate  -   not solve anything  -  ensuring the proper Committees and its Members continue to be fed a steady stream of “work”,  justifying the existence of the CPSO and its many hangers-on. See link below for just one example:

 http://badpatients.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/cpso-no-compassion-for-a-sick-colleague/

 

 

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OMA facing Castration

 

 

Ontario doctor group hires self-described union ‘bully’ as advisor and chief negotiator

Written by JERED STUFFCO on May 13, 2013 for The Medical Post

 

 

 

 

A doctors’ groups that’s been a thorn in the side of the Ontario Medical Association in recent years has hired a controversial union leader to help grow its ranks.

The Coalition of Family Physicians and Specialists of Ontario (COFPS) announced the hiring of Craig Bromell as the group’s new advisor and chief negotiator.

Bromell is a former Toronto police union leader who allegedly used intimidation and forceful tactics to silence critics during his tenure from 1997 to 2003. He even called himself a “bully” for his methods.

COFPS president Dr. Douglas Mark said brining Bromell to the physician realm will help the group attract more members.

“We’re very excited to be able to make this announcement today,” Dr. Mark said in a press release.

The announcement follows a decision from COFPS in December to rebrand itself as DoctorsOntario, which aims to take a more active role in negotiating with the government over fee deals.

 

Dr. Mark told the Medical Post in December that DoctorsOntario would strive to do more than simply attack the OMA.

“Craig Bromell is a legend in the world of unions and negotiating. We feel very fortunate that he has agreed to work with the doctors of Ontario in hopes of improving our situation,” said Dr. Mark this week.

Bromell, once a disgruntled constable who rallied officer support over a government move to restrict firearm usage for police, said the OMA has been disappointing physicians for too long.

“To be honest, I was initially reluctant when Dr. Mark approached me,” Bromell said in a press release. “However, after meeting with him and other representatives of DoctorsOntario, I’ve come to realize that physicians are in dire need of professional help—especially at the negotiating table.”

Added Dr. Mark: “It’s become obvious to us after the last round of negotiations…that politicians need physician input right from the start in order to come up with viable, lasting solutions. Adding Craig Bromell to our team levels the playing field and dramatically changes the nature of the conversation.”

 

 

 

CPSO: No Compassion for a sick Colleague

 

 

The following is a comment on Colin Leslie’s article “Who will watch the watchers”

 

 

May 1, 9:02 pm by MICHAEL.BOTTOMLEY.1 (CITY, NF) 

For forty years, I had always thought of the CPSO as a benign organization like its glossy self-promoting magazine. However, after I was late in payment of their annual fee while on a convalescent leave of absence, I had a rude awakening. This is a vicious organization which not only removes a licence for such a trivial offence, but refuses all requests for an interview. It treats physicians as roadkill and not human beings.

 

 

 

CPSO Council Members do not deny themselves any gastronomic luxuries but a sick colleague gets no compassion when he is late paying his annual fee while recuperating from illness and may (or may not) have had financial difficulties.

 

 

See also:   http://badpatients.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/spotlight-on-the-luxurious-lifestyle-of-cpso-council-members/

 

 

http://badpatients.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/colleges-who-will-watch-the-watchers/

 

 

 

 

Meet CPSO Lawyer Carolyn D. Silver

 

 

 

 

Carolyn D. Silver

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Called to the bar: 1996 (ON)        College of Physicians & Surgeons of Ontario Legal Services 80 College St. Toronto, Ontario M5G 2E2 Phone: 416-967-2600 Ext: 239 Fax: 416-967-2647 Email: csilver@cpso.on.ca

 

Meet Shenda Tanchak – Registrar and CEO College of Physiotherapists of Ontario

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Shenda Tanchak—Registrar and CEO
College of Physiotherapists of Ontario

formerly employed as Investigator, Policy Analyst and Advisor 

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

 

 

 

 

Shenda Tanchak (right)

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 
 
 Shenda Tanchak has been the Registrar and CEO of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO)
since June 2012.  

Shenda received her LLB from the University of Toronto and was called to the bar in 1992. She has more than
18 years of experience working in the health regulatory community, and joined CPO from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario where she most recently served as Senior Advisor to the Executive Office.

 

Shenda’s progressive experience in the regulatory environment includes diverse roles such as Complaints Investigator, Manager of Complaints, Policy Analyst, Manager of Policy and Manager of Special Projects.

 

Known throughout the regulatory community as a compelling speaker, educator and thought leader, Shenda demonstrates the complete range of skills required to ensure the College continues to deliver on its mission, vision and strategic goals. 

 

 

 

 

Contact Us

College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
375 University Avenue
Suite 901
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 2J5Tel: 416-591-3828
Toll Free: 800-583-5885
Fax: 416-591-3834
General email:info@collegept.org
Web: www.collegept.org

 

or

 

contact Shenda at:   stanchak@collegept.org

                             tel.:   Tel: 416-591-3828, ext. 252

 

 

 

‘We’ll see you in court’—N.B. docs throw the book at government

 

 

Written by DIANA DUONG on May 1, 2013 for The Medical Post

 

 

Doctors across Canada are showing supporting for the New Brunswick Medical Society’s struggle against the provincial government’s cuts to the medical services budget.

A letter addressed to Premier David Alward bears 14 signatures showing support from each provincial medical association and the national Canadian Medical Association, was sent today. New Brunswick’s physicians will address the issue at an emergency general meeting planned for May 3.

The letter calls for premier Alward to respect signed agreements and to collaborate with New Brunswick’s physicians to negotiate issues.

“Breaking a signed agreement with your doctors sends an ominous message that you believe you can proceed to make health care decisions without consulting the physicians who deliver the care,” states the open letter. “That is bad medicine.”

A feud between the government and physicians in the province has been brewing for months, and Health Minister Ted Flemming claimed in March he was told to “stick it” by doctors over budget talks.

Last month, medicare billings were cut by $18.8 million for the 2013-14 budget, freezing any growth in the health care budget, and capping medicare payments at $425 million for the next two years.

Despite the cap, doctors are not allowed to turn away patients, said NBMS CEO Anthony Knight, as reported by CBC.

The New Brunswick Medical Society has threatened on challenging the government in court over the medicare cuts.

On Monday, NBMS president Dr. Robert Desjardins visited colleagues across the country, receiving a “strong reaction from coast to coast,” as said in the statement.

“Physicians across the country are watching New Brunswick,” he said in a press release. “They understand the damage the Alward government has done to its relationship with doctors, and they supported our desire to address the real problems with health system sustainability

 

 

 

Colleges: Who will watch the watchers?

 

 

Written by Colin Leslie on April 23, 2013 for The Medical Post

When senior editor Julia Belluz and I talked six months ago during the planning stages of the colleges investigation, we decided we wanted to see whether we could gather data from the provincial regulatory bodies that would allow us to compare the colleges to address two questions:

• Are the colleges being run efficiently?

• Are the colleges fair to doctors?

You’ll find our coverage that tries to answer these questions on page eight (efficiency) and page 10 (fairness).

In general, the colleges and their national body, the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada, were good about being transparent and making their data available.

The key challenge is that without pan-Canadian standards, how the colleges track what they do varies widely province to province.

So who, as a matter of course, is watching what the colleges do?

There are, to be sure, independent financial audits making sure the receipts match up and such things.

But beyond that much of the responsibility falls upon you, the doctors of Canada. You’re a self-regulating profession. You elect most of the physicians who make up the majority of council members across the nation (see below).

Of course, it is hard for groups to exercise that duty democratically without data and guidance.

There is no equivalent of parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page, whose term just ended, or former auditor-general Sheila Fraser looking at the colleges periodically.

Maybe there should be. Even the overseers need oversight.

There is no evidence that it is, but the colleges’ attitude cannot be: “We’re quasi-judicial bodies and it costs what it costs to do our work.”

Yes, of course, the colleges are there to protect the public first and foremost, but looking for efficiencies and boosting accountability and fairness must be goals of all Canadian institutions.

Lastly, journalism like this takes a lot of reporting muscle and I want to thank Julia for co-ordinating this investigation and reporter-intern Diana Duong for organizing the college data into a large database for this project. MP

WHO IS IN CHARGE:   COLLEGE COUNCILS

 

College	# council members	# MDs	MDs selected	Lay members
B.C.	15	10	Elected by doctors by district.	Five, appointed by health minister.
Alberta	16	12	11 elected by doctors. One is dean of medicine (shared by the two deans in Alta.; they alternate attendance).	Four, appointed by health minister public.
Sask.	18	13	12 elected by doctors. One by dean of medicine or designate.	Five, all Lieutenant Governor in council appointments.
Manitoba	22	18	Most elected by constituency. Two are appointed by the dean of medicine. One is elected from the learners and physician assistants.	Two are elected by council. Two are appointed by government.
Ontario	32 – 34	19	16 doctors are elected by their peers on a geographical basis. Three physicians are appointed from among the six faculties of medicine in Ontario.	Between 13 and 15 public members are appointed by the provincial government.
Quebec	28	24	20 are elected. Four physician members are postgraduate vice-deans of four faculties of medicine in province.	Office of professions, a governmental body that regulates professional orders, selects the four lay members.
N.B.	17	13	12 elected. One appointed by health minister.	Four, appointed by health minister from list offered by college.
P.E.I.	9	7	Six elected by membership. One appointed by government.	Both are appointed by government.
N.S.	15	10	Six elected by membership. One appointed by Dalhousie University. One by Doctors Nova Scotia.	Five, appointed by the provincial government.
N.L.	13 members of council and registrar who is an ex-officio member.	10	Seven are elected by doctors. Two are appointed by health minister by nominations received from the NLMA. One is appointed by Memorial University of Newfoundland.	Three, appointed by health minister.

 

 

 

Spotlight on the Luxurious Lifestyle of CPSO Council Members

 

 

 

The following is an interesting comment from a former CPSO Council Member giving a pretty clear insight on whether or not (Medical) Colleges are ballooning out of control.

 

 

 

 

 

April 25, 1:33 pm by ELLEN N.THOMPSON.1 (OTTAWA, ON)

 

 

During the period 2004 to 2011 Ontario physician remuneration increases were close to nil factoring in inflation. Yet physicians are the main/ only payors for the Ontario College whose budget increased by 89% during this period.
Having served a 3 year period on CPSO council prior to this I noted the establishment of a tradition where all interested members of council would go out to the best Toronto restaurants for group dinners, and where multiple bottles of the best wines were consumed. All paid for by CPSO. I also wondered why colleagues did not use the convenient budget airline Porter in travels to/from Toronto. It seemed the higher fares charged by Air Canada,which were fully refunded by CPSO, resulted in far more Airmiles or points for the member.

 

 

 

List of Council Members:  https://www.cpso.on.ca/aboutus/council/default.aspx?id=1412

 

 

 

 

 

 CPSO Rocco Gerace, Dody Bienenstock

“Club Paradiso” – 80 College St. – Minimum Work for Maximum Perks

 

where work is an interlude in a life of pleasure   Read and Weep !!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

 

CPSO employees Chosen as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2013: By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors   (Oct 9, 2012) Some of the reasons why The College of Physicians and Surgeons was selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2013: starts new employees at three weeks of paid vacation allowance, in addition to paid time-off during the holiday season encourages ongoing employee development through generous tuition subsidies for courses taken at outside institutions, in-house training, leadership training, and opportunities for job exchanges and internal and external secondments prepares older employees for life after work with retirement planning assistance, phased-in work options, and contributions to a defined contribution pension plan provides compassionate leave top-up payments (to 100% of salary for 8 weeks) for employees needing time to care for a loved one supports employees who are new mothers with maternity leave top-up payments to 100% of salary for the first 2 weeks followed by 75% top-up for 26 weeks and provides them with a variety of flexible work arrangements for when they are ready to return to work also provides parental leave top-up payments to new fathers and adoptive parents (to 75% of salary for 26 weeks) Employer Background The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) is the self-regulating governing body for the province’s medical profession. Established in 1864, the College’s mandate is to regulate the practice of medicine in Ontario to protect the public interest. It issues certificates of registration to all medical doctors to allow them to practice medicine — all practicing doctors must be members of the College in order to work in the province of Ontario. The College also monitors and maintains standards of practice through peer assessment and remediation, investigates complaints against doctors on behalf of the public, and disciplines doctors who may have committed an act of professional misconduct or incompetence. CPSO also manages numerous provincial government health programs, including independent health facilities and methadone treatment programs. Industry: Professional Organizations. Revenues: $44 million. Major Canadian hiring locations: Toronto ON. Established: 1864. Full-time employees in Canada: 285. New jobs created in Canada last year: 12. Part-time employees in Canada: 25. Workforce engaged on a contract basis: 25%. Number of applications received at this location last year: 3,000. Average age of all employees: 43. Longest serving employee: 32 years.  Rating: B+Physical Workplace The College of Physicians and Surgeons’ physical workplace is rated as very good. CPSO’s head office is located in downtown Toronto, within a short walk to subway stations as well as the College streetcar line outside the front door. Originally constructed in the 1960s the newly renovated head office features an employee lounge (with comfortable seating and television); religious observance room; secure bicycle parking; free parking; subsidized on-site yoga and pilates classes hosted onsite in a designated room; free coffee and tea; outdoor eating area; and two major shopping malls nearby (College Park and the Eaton Centre).  Rating: BWork Atmosphere & Communications The College of Physicians and Surgeons’ work atmosphere is rated as average. Employees at their head office enjoy business casual dress; can listen to music while working; organized social events. The company-subsidized social committee (established in 1991) organizes an annual year-end formal, an annual employee appreciation day, an annual lunch to celebrate its long-serving employees, and a special Christmas party for employees’ children. In addition, employees and their families can kick-off the Christmas season watching the city’s famous Santa Claus parade from the comfort of the head office building, which is conveniently located directly on the parade route — with the College providing everyone with free parking, hotdogs and drinks. The College keeps employees informed through corporate intranet site.  Rating: B+Financial Benefits & Compensation The College of Physicians and Surgeons’ financial benefits are rated as very good. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. CPSO also provides defined contribution pension plan with employer contributions (up to 10% of salary); life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance; phased-in retirement work options; an interest-free computer purchase plan.  Rating: AHealth & Family-Friendly Benefits The College of Physicians and Surgeons’ health and family benefits are rated as above-average. Their health benefits plan is managed by Great West Life. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. Employees who work 28 hours per week receive coverage. The maximum waiting period for new employees is 90 days. Family coverage is available on the health benefits plan. Retiree coverage is also available on the health plan, up to 70 years of age. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; eyecare ($350 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; employee assistance (EAP) plan; medical equipment and supplies; physiotherapy; massage therapy; homecare; travel insurance. Lunchtime wellness workshops; small healthcare spending account. The College’s family-friendly benefits include maternity and parental leave top-up payments to 100% of salary for the first two weeks, followed by: maternity top-up payments (to 75% of salary for 26 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 75% of salary for 26 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 75% of salary for 26 weeks). Additional family-friendly benefits include: compassionate top-up payment (to 100% of salary for 8 weeks) while caring for a family member; flexible working hours; 35-hour work week (with full pay); shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; telecommuting; earned days off (EDO) program.  Rating: B+Vacation & Personal Time-Off The College of Physicians and Surgeons’ vacation and personal time-off are rated as very good. New employees receive 3 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Vacation increases after 5 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 6 weeks of vacation each year. During the Christmas to New Year’s holiday break, employees receive an additional 4 days off. Employees receive 12 paid sick days every year. Employees receive 2 personal days off, as scheduled by their employer.  Rating: BEmployee Engagement The College of Physicians and Surgeons’ employee engagement program is rated as average. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months. Managers receive training in how to conduct effective performance reviews. Performance feedback is also solicited from co-workers and other managers familiar with each employee’s work. As part of the review process employees can provide confidential feedback on their manager’s performance. Exit interviews are provided for departing employees. As part of its employee performance review process, employees and managers meet to plan the annual review, discussing whether or not there is a need for a self assessment or whether a third party should be consulted as part of the process. If so, managers and employees work together to establish the questions asked and the follow-up to discuss and review the solicited feedback. As part of their discussion, managers and employees develop a performance rating and set performance objectives fro the upcoming year. In recognition of excellent employee performance, the College sponsors a peer-to-peer recognition program as well as a traditional manager-sponsored awards program. Top performing employees may receive personally tailored non-monetary gifts, such as afternoon lunches, flowers, evening dinners and movie passes.  Rating: ATraining & Skills Development The College of Physicians and Surgeons’ training and skills development program is rated as above-average. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (Employer covers up to 100% of tuition). (Employer pays up to $3,000 in subsidies). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (Employer covers up to 100% of non-related tuition). (Employer pays up to $3,000 in tuition subsidies). The College also supports ongoing employee career development with: subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house training programs; online training programs; new employee orientation program; formal management training program; job sharing and job exchange program; and opportunities for internal and external secondments.  Rating: ACommunity Involvement The College of Physicians and Surgeons’ community involvement program is rated as above-average. The College supports a variety of local charitable initiatives, choosing to direct support to small local organizations with a primary focus on health-related issues and programs for children. As part of their fundraising efforts, employees host fun events to raise money, including bingo games, book sales, raffles and draws for prizes and money, silent auctions, bake sales, and food and toy drives. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. As part of this program, employees receive 2 paid days off to volunteer. Last year, employees donated over 700 hours volunteering with charitable projects. Approximately 4 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. Over the past number of years, the College and its employees have directed support to the Canadian Hearing Society & Parent Infant Intervention Program, the Toronto Children’s Breakfast Club, The Teresa House and The Gate House.

This Employer Review has been viewed 58,277 times.

©2013 Mediacorp Canada Inc. All rights reserved. Used by Eluta with permission. For comments or questions on this employer review, please contact Mediacorp’s editorial team.         CPSO staff want to live well and calculate first what they need for their comfy lifestyle and then divide by the number of docs to calculate their annual fee plus a little extra   ……………..   just in case …………        Below an example of the pleasures our docs’ dollars afford CPSO employees. Another cruise, another season.                            Jill Hefley  -   CPSO Associate Director of Communications    -    2nd from right

 

See also:    http://badpatients.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/spotlight-on-the-luxurious-lifestyle-of-cpso-council-members/

 

 

 

Meet LOUISE VERITY – CPSO Director, Associate Registrar, Policy and Communications

                                                                                                    

 

 

 

 

Louise Verity
Director, Associate Registrar, Policy and Communications

contact:  lverity@cpso.on.ca

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work and Education

 

 

 

 

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

 

Director, Associate Registrar, Policy and Communications

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_of_Physicians_and_Surgeons_of_Ontario

 

 

 

  

 

 

         

• Sir Wilfrid Laurier University
• Class of 1989 · Political Science · Waterloo, Ontario
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilfrid_Laurier_University 

 

 

•  

  Queen’s University

  Class of 1988 · Politics History · Kingston, Ontario
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_University

   

   

 

1989  -  Graduated from Sir Wilfrid Laurier University

 

1988  -  Graduated from Queen’s University

 

 

 

 

Louise lives in Toronto and is from Brantford (Ontario)