Clarifying physician ‘undertakings’

Re Putting patient safety first, Editorial June 6 Your editorial under-reports the details we have been, and will be, making public about physician “undertakings.” An undertaking is a binding, enforceable promise (similar to a contract) given by doctors that describes the conditions under which they can practise medicine. Doctors may enter an undertaking to restrict their practice where there is a concern about that practice area and they agree to practise differently — or not practise at all.

Undertakings are accepted only when the proposed conditions address the issues raised in the public interest. Contrary to what is stated in the editorial, undertakings that restrict physician practise were already on the college’s public register and will continue to be made public.

Recently, the college decided to also make undertakings public where the doctor will be practising under the clinical supervision of another physician. In these cases, we determine the level of supervision and education (if required) and the type and timing of reassessment and frequency of progress reports. The only undertakings that are not public are those that arise from health-related investigations (unless they restrict practise) given they include a doctor’s personal health information.

Adding more information, such as undertakings, criminal charges and cautions arising from investigations on the college’s public register, may assist patients in choosing a doctor, and enhance our accountability to the public.

When added to the extensive information already available, we believe the Ontario public will have access to more information about their doctors than is available anywhere else in North America. Dr. Carol Leet, president, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario