The Good Doctor.

   Many year ago, when I was a department head in Family Medicine, I was asked by the Minister of Health to serve on a committee that was to hear an appeal by a physician against the ruling of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan to restrict or remove his license.  He was an older man and I have no doubt that he was a victim of ageism, but that term hadn't been invented yet and despite the fact that we boast a citizen is innocent until proven guilty, it often looked the other way around.  It still does, perhaps even more so today, when many a fine physician has had their reputation ruined by accusations that turned out to be false.  In any event, the College, which is the ultimate arbiter of physician fate in that it controls the practitioners license to practice does not always seem to be fair-minded and sometimes seems intoxicated with its own power.
    The story took  place in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, about 300km SE of Saskatoon, with a population of about 13000.  A competency committee of  the College of  Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan consisting of three physicians appointed by the College, had assessed the senior doctor over a three day period and submitted their  report to the  council of  the College.  As a result of their conclusions and  recommendations certain restictions were placed on  the doctor.  He had already informed the College that he had recently voluntarily given up his obstetrical  and  newborn practice.
     The following  restrictions were placed on him"
1. That he sign a written, witnessed statement that he would no longer practice obstetrics  or neonatal care.
2.That he not serve on the emergency room roster until he  achieved  certification in life support and ECG interpretation.
3. Comment was made that his history taking was superficial , his his examination techniques were reasonably adequate and that his investigations did not follow an  orderly approach.
4. That he be required to complete 50 hours of accredited CME annually and to proof of such participation.
   The doctor responded that he received no instruction of what was expected of him during the competency assessment.  He felt the process was unfair and therefore appealed to the Minister of Health, who established an appeal tribunal to investigate the matter.