Capacity evaluations

Health conditions and active complaints

Under the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), special consideration is given to licensees who have a health condition directly or indirectly related to an active complaint. When a licensee discloses a health condition during the course of a CPSBC regulatory process, CPSBC shares the information with the Health Monitoring Program to conduct an inquiry into the licensee's health.

Capacity evaluation process

The deputy registrar of the Health Monitoring Program acts as the capacity officer and organizes a health and fitness to practise assessment. 

This includes:

  • Engaging licensed health professionals capable of conducting the evaluation
  • Consulting the licensee's health-care providers when possible and appropriate (primary care physician or specialist)
  • Conducting an independent medical evaluation if necessary to fully understand the licensee's health and capacity to practice safely

CPSBC expects licensees to cooperate with the assessment.

What happens after the assessment

The health professional performing the assessment provides a report to the capacity officer.

The report includes:

  • An opinion on whether a health condition exists
  • The extent to which it might affect the licensee's capacity to practice safely within their current scope
  • Treatment recommendations required to restore capacity
  • Recommendations for ongoing treatment to ensure sustained fitness to practise

Next steps and outcomes

The capacity officer provides the licensee with reports and correspondence about the evaluation's findings and treatment or management recommendations. 

Depending on the findings:

  • CPSBC may issue a continuance practice order if treatment or accommodations are required to mitigate risk to patients and the public
  • CPSBC may ask the licensee to change their licence status to temporarily inactive while undergoing treatment and further assessment
  • CPSBC may require the licensee to modify their practice and undergo a period of monitoring

Confidentiality

The Health Monitoring Program holds all records about a licensee's health and personal information strictly confidential during the licensee's engagement with the program.

When information is shared

The capacity officer reports to the Investigation Committee only when:

  • The licensee fails to respond or cooperate with the evaluation, or
  • The licensee's health condition poses an immediate risk to the public