Role of the College

About CPSM

CPSM self-regulates the medical profession in Manitoba and has done so since 1871. CPSM’s role is to protect the public as consumers of medical care and promote the safe and ethical delivery of quality medical care by physicians in Manitoba.

CPSM promotes safety and protects the public by:

  • Only registering and allowing those who meet the established registration requirements, to practice medicine;
  • Setting clear and mandatory standards for competence and conduct in practicing medicine;
  • Holding registrants to account for observing those standards and restricting or removing the ability to practice medicine from those who breach them.

CPSM carries out its mandate, duties and powers and governs its registrants in a manner that serves and protects the public interest.

CPSM’S ROLE

CPSM’s role is to protect the public as consumers of medical care and promote the safe and ethical delivery of quality medical care by physicians in Manitoba. This is achieved through the following goals:

Autonomous Self-Regulation of the Medical Profession

Every registrant of the medical profession shares the responsibility of self-governance and ensuring that appropriate standards of clinical practice and ethical conduct are followed. CPSM Membership is mandatory for all physicians, clinical assistants, physician assistants, medical residents, and medical students seeking to practice medicine in Manitoba.

CPSM achieves this goal primarily through the performance of its three core functions:

  • Registration
  • Standards
  • Complaints and Investigation

Funding for these core functions comes almost entirely from fees paid by registrants. CPSM is separate and distinct from professional associations of physicians such as Doctors Manitoba.

SAFE AND ETHICAL MEDICAL CARE

CPSM establishes registration and licensure requirements to ensure all registrants are competent to practice. Standards of professional conduct and clinical practice are established by a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice; these are used to measure registrants' performance. CPSM has the authority to take action when registrants practice in a manner that is ethically or clinically unacceptable.

LEADERSHIP FOR QUALITY CARE

CPSM provides leadership for quality medical care by performing its core functions and by proactively engaging registrants in quality improvement programs, practice audits, reviewing physicians' practices, and promoting regional equality in standards of physician care. As an active member of The Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FMRAC), CPSM plays an active role in issues relating to quality medical care nationwide. CPSM participates in interdisciplinary initiatives to advance patient safety and quality of care. 

PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION

Responding appropriately to complaints from the public is essential. CPSM considers the doctor-patient relationship the cornerstone of quality medical care and strives to assist the patient, preserving that relationship where possible. CPSM has the authority to formally investigate complaints and discipline its registrants as part of our mandate to protect the public. 

PROVISION OF RESOURCES TO PHYSICIANS FOR ADVICE ON ETHICS, STANDARDS AND QUALITY ISSUES

CPSM issues Standards of Practice, Practice Directions and upholds a Code of Ethics and Professionalism that all registrants must adhere to while practising medicine in Manitoba. 

 

LEGISLATION AND POLICIES

The Regulated Health Professions Act, establishes and governs CPSM, including:

Regulations; 

Bylaws;

Standards of Practice of Medicine;

Practice Directions;

Code of Ethics and Professionalism; and

Policies.

  

MANDATE OF THE COLLEGE

CPSM has the following mandate (excerpt from the Regulated Health Professions Act Section 10):

(a) to regulate the practice of the health profession and govern its members in accordance with this Act and the regulations and by-laws;

(b) to develop, establish and maintain standards of academic or technical achievement and qualification required for registration as a member and monitor compliance with and enforce those standards;

(c) to develop, establish and maintain standards of practice to enhance the quality of practice by members and monitor compliance with and enforce those standards;

(d) to develop, establish and maintain a continuing competency program for members to promote high standards of knowledge and skill;

(e) to promote the ability of members to respond to changes in practice environments, advances in technology and other emerging issues;

(f) to work in consultation with the minister towards achieving access for the people of Manitoba to adequate numbers of qualified and competent members of the regulated health profession;

(g) to develop, establish and maintain programs that provide information about the health profession, and that assist persons in exercising their rights under this Act and the regulations, by-laws and code of ethics;

(h) to promote and enhance the college's relations with its members, other colleges, key stakeholders and the public;

(i) to promote inter-professional collaboration with other colleges;

(j) to administer the college's affairs and perform its duties and carry out its powers in accordance with this Act and the regulations and by-laws.