The doctor's dilemma, the capacity of Ontario's self-governing health professions to regulate conflict of interest ; a study of the College of Physicians and Surgeons

grantor: University of TorontoFocussing on the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and its regulatory approach to financial conflict of interest, this thesis examines the capacity of the self-governing professions under Ontario's ' Regulated Health Professions Act', '1991' to regulate themselves for the benefit of the public interest rather than competing professional concerns. Without proper self-government, conflict of interest in medicine threatens the quality and integrity of patient care as well as public trust in the College and its members. The author discusses the College's conflict of interest regulation, arguing it is insufficient for various reasons. The thesis proposes and analyses reforms designed to better protect patients and society. The author concludes that the solution to the problem of potential conflicting interests in professional self-governance or practice lies in a regulatory system founded on an ethical commitment by the College and practitioners to set aside self-interest and act altruistically on behalf of others.L.L.M