Guideline: Physicians and Public Health Emergencies

Introduction

Definition

Principles

1. The practice of medicine is founded on the values of compassion, service, altruism and trustworthiness. These values form the basis of professionalism.

    

2. Physicians have duties which reflect the profession’s values. Physicians have duties individually to their patients. As members of the medical profession, they have a duty collectively to the public. As well, physicians have duties to themselves and their colleagues.[1]
    

Providing Care

Practising Outside of Scope of Practice

A physician should only practise outside of their area of expertise during a public health emergency if:

• the care needed is urgent;
• a more skilled physician is not available; and,
• ·not providing the care would lead to worse consequences than providing it.

Once the public health emergency is over, the physician should no longer practise in the new area.

In advance of a public health emergency, the College encourages physicians to take advantage of any training offered to them for the activities which they may be required to perform.  Physicians may also want to contact the Canadian Medical Protective Association for additional guidance.
 

Keeping Informed and Cooperating

Physicians are expected to keep informed of all pertinent federal, provincial and local emergency plans and public health communication systems, particularly regarding the role of physicians.

In order to provide the best possible care, physicians need to receive up-to-date and complete information both prior to and during a public health emergency.

Physicians should cooperate with any government and/or public health requirements and/or directives.

Acknowledgement

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan has adapted this from a document prepared by the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons.  The Saskatchewan College gratefully acknowledges that work.