At its most recent meeting, CPSO’s Board of Directors approved two documents related to medical professionalism and professional behaviour.

The Essentials of Medical Professionalism is a newly created guide replacing CPSO’s original key resource, the Practice Guide, which was approved nearly 20 years ago. The new resource defines medical professionalism; articulates the current values of the profession; sets out overarching responsibilities and duties regarding medical professionalism; and addresses expectations related to equity, diversity and inclusion, physician wellbeing, and profession-led regulation.

The resource defines professionalism as “the words and actions of physicians that foster trust and respect with patients, colleagues, and the public.” It also sets out four core duties through which physicians uphold the values of the profession:

• Practising with integrity
• Committing to responsibility
• Practising with humility
• Recognizing and honouring humanity

From each of these core duties flows more specific expectations that physicians strive to fulfil in meeting their responsibilities to their patients, themselves, and their colleagues.

The Board also approved the Professional Behaviour policy, which sets out CPSO’s expectations related to physician professionalism. An accompanying Advice document sets out specific guidance around how to remain professional when engaging in advocacy and steps to consider in addressing unprofessional behaviour.