Frequently Asked Questions

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• Family Physicians & Specialists

  How do I find a Family Doctor?

  • Use the College’s Online Physician Search located on our home page.
  • Call the College at 780-969-4926 or toll free (in Alberta) at 1-800-561-3899 ext 4926.
  • Information in the College’s Online Medical Directory is supplied by physicians and updated daily.

  How do I find a Specialist?

  • See your family doctor for a referral. If you do not have a family doctor, you may see a physician at a walk-in clinic.
  • The College can provide names of physicians within a specific specialty, but patients still need to discuss a referral with their family doctor or physician at a walk-in clinic.
  • Use the College’s Online Physician Search located on our home page.

  How do I find a Physician who treats my disease/condition?

  • Ask your family doctor (or physician in a walk-in clinic) for a referral.

  How do I find a Doctor with privileges at a certain hospital?

  • Contact the hospital directly

  How do I find the name of a Doctor I saw at hospital or clinic ‘X’?

  • Contact the hospital or clinic directly.

  How do I find an Optometrist, Dentist, Podiatrist, Psychologist, or Chiropractor?

  The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta only issues practice permits to medical doctors. Please use the following website links and telephone numbers to contact the appropriate College or Association:

  • Alberta College of Optometrists
  • Alberta Dental Association
  • Alberta Podiatry Association 
  • College of Alberta Psychologists
  • College of Chiropractors of Alberta

  Is there a list of abbreviations for physician specialties?

  • Yes, and it is available here.

• Other Health Care Practitioners

  How do I find a Physical Therapist, Massage Therapist, Acupuncturist, Naturopath Doctor?

  • Contact the appropriate Association or College directly. You do not need a referral from your physician.
  • College of Physical Therapists of Alberta
  • Massage Therapist Association of Alberta
  • Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Association of Canada
  • Alberta Association of Naturopathic Practitioners   

  Who do I contact about concerns regarding treatment from one of these practitioners?

  • The appropriate Association or College. The CPSA manages complaints for doctors who have an Alberta medical practice permit.

• Retiring Physicians/Physicians Who Close Their Office

  What happens if my physician is retiring or closing his/her office?

  • Your physician should make arrangements for your ongoing care, including: 
    • A referral to another physician, if you have been receiving ongoing (chronic) care
    • Access to your medical records
    • Note: medical records are considered the property of the doctor/doctor’s office and a fee may be charged for copying/transferring your files to a new physician/office. Please check with your doctor/clinic for more information.

  If you need to find a new doctor:

  • Use the College’s Online Physician Search located on our home page.
  • Contact the College directly at 780-423-4764 or toll free (in Alberta) at 1-800-561-3899

• Medical Records

  Can I get a copy of my medical records?

  • Yes. However, your medical records are the property of the doctor/doctor’s office where they are held and a fee may be charged for this service.
  • Contact your physician for more details.

  How long are my medical records kept by my physician?

  • Your physicians must retain a full copy of your records for 10 years, following the last date you were seen.

  How do I obtain the medical records of a deceased family member?

  • Contact the physician's office (if known)
  • Contact a College Information & Certificate Officer at 780-423-4764, toll free 1-800-561-3899 (Alberta residents only) or publicinquiries@cpsa.ab.ca
    • Note: The medical record of a deceased individual will only be released (or disclosed) if the information is needed to:  
      • Administer the deceased individual’s estate
      • Provide health services to a descendant, if the privacy of the deceased individual is sufficiently protected.
      • Investigate circumstances in the death, or recent health services, of the individual, if it does not contradict a request by the deceased individual.
  • For more information: Health Information Act, Section 35d1 Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

• Fees Charged by Physicians

  Can a physician bill me for completing notes and forms (for example medical, legal or insurance forms)?

  • Yes, if the service is not covered by Alberta Health Care.
  • Note: If the patient is more than 74.5 years old, Alberta Health & Wellness pays for the driver’s licence examination and completion of forms. More information is available in the  Schedule of Medical Benefits.

  Can a physician bill me for copies of my medical records?

  • Yes, if the service is not covered by Alberta Health Care. Note: Medical records are not the property of the patient; they are the property of the doctor/doctor’s office where they are held.
  • However, patients are entitled to access and review the information.

  Can a physician bill me for missed appointments?

  • Yes, if you have been informed of this charge when you book the appointment.

  Can a physician bill me for appointments/treatment if I don’t have a valid Alberta Health Care number?

  • Yes, as long as it is an elective visit.

  Can a physician bill me for refilling a prescription by phone?
  

  • Yes. Refilling a prescription by phone is an uninsured service and physicians can charge the patient directly for this service.

• Patient/Doctor Relations

  Can a physician limit me to one concern or complaint per appointment?

  • Yes, If patient care is not jeopardized. In order to ensure you and other patients are seen in a timely fashion
  • Note: Multiple concerns may be prioritized by a/your physician to address those that require immediate attention and future appointments to address the remaining ones.

  Can a physician refuse to treat me?

  • Yes, if the following circumstances are applicable:
    • Your physician does not feel qualified to handle your treatment
    • You have missed several appointments
    • You have signed a treatment contract and are not following your treatment plan
    • You have been abusive or threatening to staff and/or the physician
  • Notes:
    • The Canadian Medical Association Code of Ethics (which the CPSA endorses) states physicians cannot discriminate against patients on grounds such as age, gender, medical condition, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability.
    • A physician cannot refuse to treat you in an emergency situation if he or she has the skills to treat you.

  Can I meet a physician before deciding to become a patient of his or hers?

  • Yes. Meeting with a physician before entering into a doctor/patient relationship can be an opportunity to:
    • Share information about the practice and understand your medical history
    • Allow both parties to decide if this relationship is mutually beneficial.
  • Notes:
    • The appointment may not be used as a means to screen patients i.e. - choosing only the healthy or less-complex patients.
    • The CMA Code of Ethics states: "physicians cannot discriminate against patients on such grounds as age, gender, marital status, medical condition, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.”

  Can a physician refuse to accept new patients?

  • Yes, if the physician cannot safely manage taking on additional patients.

• Prescriptions

  Can my doctor phone in a prescription refill?

  • Yes. For the majority of drugs, your physician may choose not to see you before prescribing a refill.
  • However, your physician: may need to follow up with you to ensure the prescribed medication is working, or to adjust the dosage as necessary.
  • Your physician may wish to check if you have had any significant changes to your health that might be affected by the prescription. as a matter of his or her proactive policy, may decide not to authorize prescription refills without seeing you first.

  What is "double doctoring"?

  • When a patient visits multiple doctors to get prescriptions, often for narcotic drugs or other controlled substances, within a 30-day period.
  • Note: A physician may use his or her discretion in authorizing a requested prescription, if the patient has appropriate reasons for the requests.
  • Please check with your physician for more information.

  Where can I get more information about pain relievers known as opioids, used for treating chronic pain?

  • A new Canadian Guideline released in 2010 includes information for patients taking opiods prescribed by their doctor for chronic pain. You can access this patient information by clicking here. You can also speak with your own physician or pharmacist.

  Will the College provide a list of physicians who prescribe specific drugs such as methadone or narcotics?

  • No.

  How can I get a prescription for medical marijuana?

  • You (and your physician) must first submit the appropriate application forms to Health Canada. More information and application forms are available at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/marihuana/index-eng.php.
  • Notes:
    • The College does not recommend physicians prescribe medical marijuana to patients.
    • The physician and the patient must comply with the complex regulations outlined by Health Canada.

  Will the College provide a list of physicians who prescribe medical marijuana?

  • No.

• Commendations for Physicians

  How do I submit a commendation for a physician?

  • You can tell your physician directly, or write him/her a letter.
  • If you write a letter, please send a copy to the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). The letter will be added to the physician’s file.
  • Our address is:

              College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta 
              2700-10020 100 St NW 
              Edmonton, AB T5J 0N3 
              Attn: The Registrar  

• Complaints

  How do I know if my concern justifies a complaint?

  • You have the right to speak to your physician directly about any problems or concerns.
  • If your attempt to do so is refused or unsuccessful, contact a Patient Advocate at the College (780-423-4764 or toll free 1-800-661-4689).
  • The patient advocate will explain the complaints process and how it applies to your situation.
  • For more information, refer to our Patient Advocate Brochure or visit the Complaints section of our website

• Overseas Medical

  What is an Overseas Medical?

  If you are seeking employment overseas, employers often ask for a completed overseas medical form – a form that must be completed by your physician and stamped by the provincial medical licensing authority.

  How to get an Overseas Medical in Alberta:

  • Have your physician complete an overseas medical form for you.
  • Mail in your completed overseas medical form or bring it in person to the College office for endorsement.
  • The medical form MUST have the physician’s original signature (a faxed copy, electronic copy or photocopy of the original is NOT acceptable).
  • If you send your medical form to the College via mail, allow 5 to 10 business days to process. Your form will be returned by regular mail. If you would like to have the medical form couriered back to you please enclose a prepaid courier or express post envelope.
  • If you bring your medical form to the College office in person, we will process it immediately.
  • The College does NOT charge a fee to endorse overseas medicals.