practice partner
Sometimes unauthorized access can occur inadvertently. A physician may leave open his/her computer,
and someone else may access that system to look up
information about individuals to which they are not
entitled. Physicians will be held responsible in such
circumstances and must be mindful about ensuring that
patients’ privacy is maintained.
The most egregious examples of privacy breaches,
however, is when physicians use their access to a health
record system to view the personal health information of someone to whom they are not providing care;
whether it is a rock star, a politician, or a relative of a
former spouse.
The results can be harmful to the patient; their right
to privacy has been breached. There is harm to the doctor’s professional reputation, in that he or she has not
respected the privacy of others. There is also reputational harm done to the profession as a whole.
When an alleged privacy breach involves a physician,
and comes to the attention of the College, the Col-
lege takes it very seriously. The physician, of course, is
provided with an opportunity to respond to the allegation. But physicians should be aware that an investigation into the facts and circumstances of the matter
may result in serious consequences, which can include
such sanctions as being summoned to the College to
be cautioned. In some cases, the physician may even
be referred to the College’s Discipline Committee.
A physician who accesses personal health information
in an unauthorized manner is also potentially liable to
civil litigation. He or she may also be prosecuted for an
offence under the Personal Health Information Protection
Act (PHIPA), with fines currently as high as $50,000.
There can also be dismissal from employment.
Physicians have both professional and legal obligations
to refrain from improperly accessing an individual’s personal health information. The potential consequences of
breaching someone’s privacy are very serious. Physicians
must therefore resist any temptation to satisfy curiosity at
the expense of another’s privacy.
Changing your address?
MOVING?
We’ve made it easier for you to let us know
46
You can change
your address online.
Just enter your login information and update
your information in the Members’ section of
our website at www.cpso.on.ca
You can also send us a change of address form. At the back of each issue of Dialogue and on the College’s website, a change of address form is provided. Please mail, fax, or email it to the College. You must notify the College
within 30 days of an address change. The College’s register must contain your current mailing address, email address,
and your primary practice address. The College also uses your email address for some communications. Your email address
is NOT available to the public.
Dialogue Issue 2, 2015