A message from the 2023 regulated members of CPSA Council

As CPSA Council’s elected regulated members, we appreciate the opportunity to contribute our knowledge and perspective to decisions impacting our profession and the care we provide to our patients. The last few years in health care have been challenging for all of us, and it seems like each year brings a new set of obstacles. As physicians, not only do we see the struggles our colleagues face in their day-to-day work, but we often experience them too. As CPSA Councillors, we understand the need to balance these challenges with maintaining high standards for ourselves and our practices, for the benefit of patient safety.

In 2023, CPSA implemented a Continuing Competence standard of practice in response to Bill 46, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2020 (No. 2), which required health regulators to move existing competency requirements from the Health Professions Act into a standard of practice. While CPSA has introduced new quality improvement and assurance programs in recent years, the responsibility of regulated members to participate in continuing competence activities remains the same. As physicians ourselves, we understand the challenges that come with balancing patient care and our regulatory responsibilities. But ultimately, the privilege of profession-led regulation comes with a responsibility to ensure we have the skills to provide our patients with the care they deserve.

In addition, CPSA introduced a five-year pilot project to accelerate the registration process for our internationally-trained physician colleagues. The goal of the pilot is to evaluate whether certain internationally-trained physicians may begin independently practising in their identified communities faster, while still ensuring patient safety is the top priority. These projects demonstrate adaptive and innovative changes within our profession that will, in turn, have a lasting and positive impact on Albertans.

Despite the challenges our profession has experienced over the past few years, we continue to be inspired by the dedication of our fellow healthcare workers and their commitment to providing good care to patients. We are proud to have been elected by our colleagues to CPSA Council and appreciate the opportunity to share the perspective of our profession, so patients continue to receive the best care we as physicians have to offer.