Dialogue Volume 10 Issue 2 2014 | Page 28

COUNCIL ELECTION Bring your skills to the table The College will be holding an election in Districts 5 and 10 this fall. T he College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario wants you to bring your skills, experience and knowledge to the Council table. Serving as an elected member of Council allows you the opportunity to contribute to the self-regulation of medicine in this province in a host of meaningful ways. As a member of the College’s Council, you participate in decision-making about: •  tandards of practice and profesS sional conduct for practice of medicine •  ompetencies for entry-to-pracC tice and ongoing practice •  ew programs and policies that N guide the profession •  overnment initiatives and legG islation affecting health care and the medical profession •  evelopment of regulations and D by-laws. Members of Council also fulfill a critical role in peer review and on statutory committees such as Inquiries, Complaints and Reports, and Discipline. If you... •  ish to contribute to professional W self-regulation in a meaningful way •  re willing to share your ideas A and perspectives to help shape important decisions 28 DIALOGUE • Issue 2, 2014 •  an set aside the time to particiC pate Then this is an opportunity to enrich your professional life and make a contribution to both the public and the medical profession through active involvement as a Council member. Keeping self-regulation in good health The contract between the medical profession and society is straightforward. As the average citizen cannot fully comprehend the complex body of medical knowledge, society has granted the profession the right to self-regulation. Autonomy is given on the understanding that physicians will guarantee competence and conduct themselves with morality and integrity. Every year, hundreds of Ontario physicians, most with busy medical practices, make the time to help the College deliver on its mandate of responsible, professional, self-regulation. Physicians who are involved have told us that even though this is a challenging job, it’s one that needs to be done and done well. Without professional participation ensuring that standards are being met, self-regulation would not exist at all. Additional information about the