Patient relations program

Each college that regulates a health profession must define who constitutes a “patient” in their Standards of Practice. Our college has defined a patient as an individual who has had a clinical visit within the last twelve months.

Coming forward about a sexually inappropriate encounter you’ve experienced with a health care professional can be incredibly difficult and there are many reasons why you may choose not to do so. There are, however, good reasons for reporting: 

• Public protection: Incidents of sexual abuse are often not isolated. By coming forward, you could help us act to ensure that what happened to you does not happen to someone else.
• Awareness: The regulatory body won’t know otherwise, we rely on individuals to make us aware when things aren’t right. We can only learn about sexual abuse from people who make complaints. 
• Your own sense of closure: If you’ve been the victim of sexual abuse by a health care professional, knowing that there is an investigation and potential consequences may play a role in your healing process.

Any patient who files a formal complaint alleging sexual abuse or sexual misconduct against a regulated health professional immediately becomes eligible for counselling services provided by the College’s Patient Relations Program. Counselling funding requirements are as follows:

1. Maximum allowable amount per Eligible Complainant is $22,500, inclusive of Program Services fees, administration fees, and all applicable taxes.
2. Maximum time period for accessing funding is five years from the opening date of the complaint.
3. An Eligible Complainant can access funds immediately upon the Complaints Director’s determination that the complaint meets the definition of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct as outlined in the Health Professions Act and the CCOA’s Standard of Practice 6.0.
4. Counselling funding ceases if:

• the Complaints Director determines there is an absence of or insufficient evidence of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct and that determination is upheld through the Complaint Review Committee if pursued; or
• a Hearing Tribunal does not make a finding of guilt related to the allegation(s).

We recognize that coming forward with a complaint about sexual abuse can be very difficult. When you call for assistance or to make a complaint, you will speak to the Complaints Director. This person has specific training in the area of sexual abuse and is very familiar with the College’s complaint process and can give you an idea of what to expect. They will not take statements or conduct investigations. You can speak to this person on the phone by calling the office at 790.420.0932. You can remain anonymous, use an alias, or arrange to meet in person. If you then decide to make a formal complaint, it must be submitted in writing and signed.

When your complaint is received, the Complaints Director may conduct or appoint an investigator to conduct an investigation. The investigator will contact you to discuss your concerns and obtain additional information. If you prefer, you can meet in person. The investigator will ask you to explain what happened as clearly and in as much detail as you can possibly provide. You will be asked to sign a consent form so that he or she can obtain your chiropractic records.

Legislation requires us to notify the health-care professional of your complaint, and the health-care professional is given the opportunity to respond to it. With your consent, other people with information about the incident or documents related to the complaint may be gathered as part of the investigation.

Your complaint will be handled with the utmost seriousness and all complaints are fully investigated. When the investigation is complete, all the materials gathered by the investigator are given to the Complaints Director who reviews the information and decides what should happen.

The Complaints Director may decide to refer the concerns about the health-care professional to the Hearing Tribunal or may determine no further action is needed if the conduct or care was appropriate.

Acupuncturists – College of Acupuncturists of Alberta
Audiologists – Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Chiropractors – College of Chiropractors of Alberta
Combined Laboratory and X-ray Technologists – Alberta College of Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technologists
Dental Assistants – College of Alberta Dental Assistants
Dental Hygienists – College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta
Dental Technologists – College of Dental Technologists of Alberta
Dentists – Alberta Dental Association and College
Denturists – College of Alberta Denturists
Dietitians – College of Dietitians of Alberta
Hearing Aid Practitioners – College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta
Licensed Practical Nurses – College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta
Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologists – Alberta College of Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologists
Medical Laboratory Technologists – College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Alberta
Midwives – College of Midwives of Alberta
Naturopaths – College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta
Occupational Therapists – Alberta College of Occupational Therapists
Opticians – College of Opticians of Alberta
Optometrists – Alberta College of Optometrists
Paramedics – Alberta College of Paramedics
Pharmacists – Alberta College of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Technicians – Alberta College of Pharmacy
Physiotherapists – Physiotherapy Alberta College + Association
Physicians, Surgeons and Osteopaths – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta
Podiatrists – College of Podiatric Physicians of Alberta
Psychiatric Nurses – College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta
Psychologists – College of Alberta Psychologists
Registered Nurses – College of Registered Nurses of Alberta  
Respiratory Therapists – College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta
Social Workers – Alberta College of Social Workers
Speech-Language Pathologists – Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists