What are the possible outcomes of complaints?
The possible outcomes of complaint investigations are as follows: (a) The committee may decide to take no further action where there is no evidence that the care provided was below the acceptable standard, unprofessional, or where there is not sufficient information to proceed further with the investigation. (b) The committee may counsel (advise) the doctor on how to improve his or her conduct or practice. (c) The committee may caution (warn) the doctor that if the conduct recurs, more serious disciplinary action may be considered. (d) The committee may issue a reprimand in some cases where there is evidence of professional misconduct, incompetence, or conduct unbecoming. A reprimand is a finding of professional misconduct that is entered on a doctor’s formal discipline record. The investigation committee can only issue a reprimand with the consent of the doctor. If the doctor does not consent, the complaint is referred to a hearing committee. (e) In cases where the investigation commi
