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The Physician Health Program/Professionals Health Program (PHP) is a confidential service. Information and advice will be provided to any individual – it is not a requirement that identifying information be provided to speak with the program staff.
If provided, the name of an individual contacting the program will be recorded in accordance with the PHP's Record Keeping, Confidentiality and Disclosure of Personal Health Information Policy. If an individual is calling about a 3rd party, no identifying information will be recorded. The PHP clinical staff will discuss implied and express consent for disclosure of health information in appropriate circumstances.Relationship between the PHP and Regulatory Colleges
While the PHP provides services to physicians, veterinarians and pharmacists that may resolve issues with their respective regulatory colleges, no direct communication occurs with any Ontario regulatory college unless the consent of the individual has been obtained or the PHP is fulfilling a mandatory reporting requirement as outlined below:Relationship between the PHP the Ontario Medical Association (OMA)
Although the PHP is fully funded by the Ontario Medical Association, the program is separated from the business of the Association. The PHP offices are physically separate from other OMA services and the operational support is provided within the program itself. The confidentiality of all PHP clients is maintained through careful and ongoing consideration of our clients needs.Exceptions to the Confidentiality Policy – Mandatory Reporting Requirements
Child and Family Services Act
During the course of the intake process, or at any time during the contract of an enrolled participant, if a member of the PHP staff has "reasonable grounds to suspect that a child falls into one of 13 categories set out in subsection 72(1) of the Child and Family Services Act", the staff member must report the suspicion and the information on which it is based to a CAS immediately.Highway Traffic Act
Every legally qualified medical practitioner is required to report to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles "the name, address and clinical condition of every person sixteen years of age or over attending upon the medical practitioner for medical services who, in the opinion of the medical practitioner, is suffering from a condition that may make it dangerous for the person to operate a motor vehicle (HTA, Section 203 (1)).
Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991
A member of the PHP staff who is governed by one of the health professional regulatory Colleges has a mandatory obligation to report information received regarding the sexual abuse of a patient by a regulated health professional, to the appropriate College of the regulated health profession, within 30 days of receipt of that information.
Health Protection and Promotion Act
A member of the PHP Clinical Team who is a regulated health professional has an obligation to report information to the Medical Officer of Health should they form the opinion that a participant may have a reportable disease or the person may be infected with the agent of a communicable disease.
In the event that a situation is encountered where the treating physician has not reported, it may be necessary for the PHP Clinical Team member to inquire about the scope of the health professional’s practice and the precautions which are being undertaken to protect patients. In this situation, the Medical Director will be notified and the case reviewed on an expedited basis.
Disclosure related to risks
While there is no specific legislation dealing with a health professional’s obligation to intervene or to warn if there is a significant risk of serious physical harm to self or others, members of the PHP Clinical Team will follow the guidelines as suggested for physicians by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s policy statement (#8-05) which states “…a physician may disclose personal health information about an individual if the physician believes, on reasonable grounds, that the disclosure is necessary to eliminate or reduce a significant risk of serious bodily harm to a person or group of persons.”
The disclosure may be made to 911 or other emergency service and in some instances, to the intended victim(s).
PHP Contact
Any questions or concerns regarding the PHP’s confidentiality policy or practices may be directed to
Ms. Cynthia MacWilliam, Director Administration.
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