DISCIPLINE SUMMARIES
co-patients during individual sessions and sharing information about one patient during a group session would constitute breaches of confidentiality contrary to CPSO policy . As such , Dr . Roche falls below the standard of care .
• Dr . Roche was inappropriately billing for family therapy instead of individual or group therapy . There is a financial advantage to coding therapy sessions as family therapy .
• Dr . Roche ’ s documentation failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession . There is little mention of the particular symptoms of major depressive disorder for which the patient was receiving treatment . It was difficult to ascertain the patient ’ s clinical status of any given time which is essential . There was no suicide risk assessment .
The psychiatric expert concluded that the most notable demonstrations of falling below the standard of care related to the lack of boundaries between Dr . Roche and certain patients . The College retained a second psychiatric expert opinion who , like the first expert , opined that Dr . Roche did not meet the standard of practice and showed a lack of knowledge skill and judgment with respect to observing appropriate boundaries with her patients . The second expert also found Dr . Roche breached the standard of care by billing her individual sessions with Patient A as family sessions , at a higher rate than she was entitled . Dr . Roche signed an Undertaking , Acknowledgment and Consent on February 17 , 2017 , in which she resigned from the College effective March 10 , 2017 and agreed not to apply or re-apply for registration as a physician in Ontario or any other jurisdiction after that date .
ORDER In light of Dr . Roche ’ s undertaking to resign and to not re-apply , the Committee ordered : a reprimand ; and payment to the College for costs in the amount of $ 5,500 .
At the conclusion of the hearing , Dr . Roche ’ s counsel waived Dr . Roche ’ s right to an appeal on her behalf , and the Committee administered the public reprimand in Dr . Roche ’ s absence .
DR . ARTURO SANCHEZ
PRACTICE LOCATION : Toronto AREA OF PRACTICE : Pediatrics
HEARING INFORMATION : Plea of No Contest ; Agreed Statement of Facts
On May 1 , 2017 , the Discipline Committee found that Dr . Sanchez committed an act of professional misconduct in that he was found guilty of an offence that is relevant to his suitability to practise . Dr . Sanchez was a pediatrician who had a practice in Toronto . He resigned his certificate of registration on November 16 , 2015 . On December 7 , 2015 , Dr . Sanchez was convicted of two counts of indecent assault with respect to Patient A and one count of indecent assault with respect to Patient F . The trial judge ’ s findings with respect to Patients A and F include the following :
Patient A When Patient A was 14 and 15 years old , she was hospitalized in Toronto ’ s Hospital for Sick Children . The trial judge found that during these admissions , Dr . Sanchez touched Patient A ’ s breasts and vagina for a sexual purpose . The trial judge found that one night during Patient A ’ s second hospital admission , Dr . Sanchez came in her room during the night , got on top of her and touched her breasts and vagina . This was done for his sexual gratification . These events happened in the 1960s .
Patient F When Patient F was approximately 11 years old , she was prescribed weekly allergy shots . Dr . Sanchez would come to her home to give her these shots . The trial judge found that on one of these weekly visits , Dr . Sanchez gave Patient F a hug from the back and put his hands down the front of her shirt . On another occasion , Dr . Sanchez touched Patient F ’ s breast for a sexual purpose .
CRIMINAL TRIAL SENTENCE On March 30 , 2016 Dr . Sanchez was sentenced to 18 months incarceration . In imposing the sentence ,
76
DIALOGUE ISSUE 2 , 2018