Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse of Patients April 2015 | Page 6
the cpso’s patient
relations program
The College’s Patient Relations Program is just one of the very important ways we support victims of
sexual abuse, and advance our goal of preventing sexual abuse of patients. Reviewing our program is
also an important component of the initiative currently underway.
Our Patient Relations Committee (PRC) was formally established in 1993, and the Committee was
charged with overseeing Task Force recommendations implemented by the College. Since that time,
the PRC has led many successful activities aimed at preventing and dealing with the sexual abuse of
patients.
The College has focused on the sexual abuse of patients as a key priority in its Patient Relations
Program. Providing patients who have been sexually abused with funding for therapy and counselling
is one of the main components of this program. The College has gone well beyond the program
requirements set out in legislation to ensure victims of sexual abuse are provided with support.
The PRC is responsible for advising the College Council with respect to the Patient Relations Program
and administering funding to patients for therapy and counselling. The program includes the following
measures for preventing and dealing with sexual abuse of patients:
1. ducation for physicians, and guidelines for the conduct of physicians with their patients;
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2. Training for College staff;
3. Provision of information to the public;
4. Fund for Therapy and Counselling.
Details regarding the Patient Relations Program are set out below.
Measures taken by the CPSO
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