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
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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-