Dialogue Volume 10 Issue 2 2014 | Page 48

DISCIPLINE SUMMARIES The Committee admitted into evidence letters of support for Dr. Shomair from the parents of an adolescent patient whom he treated, and from three psychiatrists with similar practices and knowledge of his practice. Although such letters may often be given relatively little weight in determining penalty, the Committee did note that one of the psychiatrists specifically commented favourably on his management of one patient whose records were part of the expert’s review for this hearing. The Committee also noted that Dr. Shomair’s supervisor to date has reported that Dr. Shomair is responsive to his suggestions, has changed his approaches to therapy in an appropriate manner and shows appropriate levels of understanding, skill and judgment. The administration of a reprimand provides an appropriate denunciation of the misconduct, while the requirement for supervision and the subsequent reassessment meet the need for public protection and the maintenance of public confidence. The requirement to participate in specific psychopharmacology courses and a medical record-keeping course will allow Dr. Shomair to avail himself of rehabilitation opportunities. The Committee accepted as appropriate that Dr. Shomair should pay costs to the College at the tariff rate of $3,650 for a one-day hearing. Order The Committee ordered and directed that: 1.  r. Shomair attend before the panel to be repriD manded. 2.  he Registrar impose the following terms, condit tions and limitations on Dr. Shomair’s certificate of registration for the specified periods of time set out herein: a)  r. Shomair shall, within 30 days from the date D of this Order, retain a College-approved clinical supervisor, who will sign an undertaking. For a period of 12 months commencing on the day the clinical supervisor is retained, Dr. Shomair may practise only under the supervision of the clinical supervisor, who will meet with Dr. Shomair on a bi-weekly basis for the duration of the supervision; b)  r. Shomair shall abide by all recommendaD tions of his clinical supervisor with respect to his 48 DIALOGUE • Issue 2, 2014 standard of practice in respect of, but not limited to, the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder, medication dosages, pharmacotherapy, and record-keeping and documentation; c)  r. Shomair shall consent to the disclosure by D his clinical supervisor to the College, and by the College to his clinical supervisor, of all information the parties deem necessary or desirable in order to fulfill the clinical supervisor’s undertaking and to monitor Dr. Shomair’s compliance with the Order. This shall include, without limitation, providing the clinical supervisor with the reports of any assessments of Dr. Shomair’s practice in the College’s possession; d)  pproximately six months after the completion of A the period of supervision required by paragraph 2(a), Dr. Shomair shall undergo a re-assessment of his clinical practice by a College-appointed assessor. This re-assessment will include determining whether Dr. Shomair meets the standard of practice of the profession and whether Dr. Shomair is in compliance with this Order. The assessor(s) shall make recommendations regarding Dr. Shomair’s practice and shall report the results of the re-assessment to the College. The College shall determine, in its sole discretion, what recommendations, if any, Dr. Shomair must abide by and whether any of the recommendations will constitute terms, conditions or limitations on his certificate of registration; e)  r. Shomair shall consent to the disclosure to the D assessor(s) of the reports of the clinical supervisor arising from the supervision, and shall consent to the sharing of all information between the clinical supervisor, the assessor(s) and the College, as any of the parties deem necessary or desirable in order to fulfill their respective obligations; f )  r. Shomair shall, at his own expense, particiD pate in and successfully complete an educational program in medical record-keeping approved by the College, no later than one year from the date of this Order. g)  r. Shomair shall, at his own expense, participate D in and successfully complete at minimum two courses in pharmacology, approved by the Col-