Definitions

1   In this regulation:

"medicine" means the health profession in which a person provides the types of health services referred to in section 7 [scope of practice for medicine];

"podiatric medicine" means the health profession in which a person provides the types of health services referred to in section 12 [scope of practice for podiatric medicine];

"podiatrist" means a licensee who is authorized to practise podiatric medicine.

Designation of health professions

2   Each of the following continues to be designated as a designated health profession for the purposes of the Act:

(a) medicine;

(b) podiatric medicine.

Regulator

3   The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia is the regulator responsible for governing the designated health professions referred to in section 2.

Health profession corporations

4   A corporation that does not hold a health profession corporation permit must not carry on the business of providing health services to the public, if the health services are provided by licensees who practise any of the following designated health professions:

(a) medicine;

(b) podiatric medicine.

Use of "doctor"

5   (1) Despite anything to the contrary in this regulation, the title "doctor" may be used by a person who is entitled to use an academic or educational designation that consists of or includes that title.

(2) If any of the following circumstances apply, a licensee who is authorized under this regulation to use the title "doctor" but is not a medical practitioner must, in using the title, indicate clearly that the licensee is not a medical practitioner or is not authorized to practise medicine:

(a) the licensee is engaged in the practice of the licensee's designated health profession;

(b) without limiting paragraph (a), the licensee is interacting with a person in carrying out business, professional or other activities related to the practice of a designated health profession;

(c) the licensee is providing information to the public with respect to

(i) the practice of a designated health profession, or

(ii) a matter in relation to health.

(3) For certainty, a person described in subsection (1) who is also a licensee is subject to subsection (2).

(4) A board may make bylaws respecting the use of the title "doctor" for the purposes of subsection (2), including imposing prohibitions, requirements, limits and conditions that are additional to those set under that subsection.

Exclusive titles

6   Except as permitted under the Act,

(a) only a medical practitioner may use the titles "medical practitioner", "doctor", "physician" and "surgeon", and

(b) only a medical practitioner who is authorized under the bylaws to practise medicine as an osteopathic physician may use the titles "osteopathic physician" and "osteopath".

Scope of practice for medicine

7   (1) The following types of health services, provided primarily for the purposes set out in subsection (2), constitute the scope of practice for medicine:

(a) assessing the health status of patients;

(b) preventing, treating and managing physical and mental diseases, disorders and conditions;

(c) advising on physical and mental health.

(2) The primary purposes for providing the health services described in subsection (1) in the practice of medicine are to promote, maintain and restore physical and mental health.

(3) Without limiting subsection (1), the following types of health services are included in the scope of practice for medicine:

(a) providing palliative care;

(b) providing medical assistance in dying.

Practice standards

8   The board must make bylaws establishing or adopting practice standards respecting the provision, by medical practitioners, of medical assistance in dying.

Accreditation standards

9   The board must make bylaws respecting diagnostic and surgical facilities in which medicine is practised, including bylaws

(a) establishing or adopting accreditation standards, and

(b) providing for the inspection of those facilities to determine if they meet, and continue to meet, accreditation standards.

All restricted activities authorized

10   A medical practitioner may perform all restricted activities.

Exclusive titles

11   Except as permitted under the Act, only a podiatrist may use the titles "podiatrist", "podiatric surgeon" and "doctor".

Scope of practice for podiatric medicine

12   (1) The following types of health services, provided primarily for the purposes set out in subsection (2), constitute the scope of practice for podiatric medicine:

(a) assessing the physical health status of patients for the purpose of providing the health services referred to in paragraph (b);

(b) preventing, treating and managing diseases, disorders and conditions of the foot and those bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues of the lower leg that affect the foot or foot function;

(c) advising on the health and care of the foot and those bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues of the lower leg that affect the foot or foot function.

(2) The primary purposes for providing health services in the practice of podiatric medicine are to promote, maintain and restore physical health as it relates to the diseases, disorders and conditions described in subsection (1) (b).

Limits and conditions

13   A podiatrist must not provide any treatment of the foot or lower leg that may affect the course of treatment of a systemic disease unless the podiatrist does so in collaboration with a medical practitioner.

List of full restricted activities

14   A podiatrist may perform the restricted activities described in the following items of the Restricted Activities Table:

(a) items 34 and 35 [laser];

(b) items 42 and 45 [authorizations];

(c) item 65 [allergy testing].

List of limited restricted activities

15   A podiatrist may perform the restricted activities described in the following items of the Restricted Activities Table, but only as provided for in this Division:

(a) item 1 [diagnoses];

(b) item 2 [procedures on tissue below the dermis];

(c) items 7 to 9 [fractures and dislocations];

(d) item 11 [substances];

(e) item 24 [insertions into artificial openings];

(f) item 36 [X-rays];

(g) item 37 [authorizations to apply ultrasounds];

(h) items 46 to 49 [drugs].

Diagnoses

16   A podiatrist may diagnose a disease, disorder or condition that the podiatrist is authorized under section 12 (1) (b) [scope of practice for podiatric medicine] to prevent, treat and manage.

Other limited restricted activities

17   (1) A podiatrist may perform a procedure on tissue below the dermis of the foot or lower leg.

(2) A podiatrist may set or cast a fracture of a bone, or reduce a dislocation of a joint, of the foot or lower leg.

(3) A podiatrist may administer solutions and Schedule III drugs by injection.

(4) A podiatrist may insert an instrument, device, finger or hand into the body through an artificial opening for the purpose of arthroscopic surgery of the ankle.

(5) A podiatrist may apply X-rays for diagnostic or imaging purposes, except for the purpose of a computed tomography scan.

(6) A podiatrist may issue an authorization for another person to apply ultrasound, except to a fetus, for diagnostic or imaging purposes.

(7) A podiatrist may prescribe, compound, dispense or administer Schedule I or II drugs.

Not in force

18-20   Not in force.

Not in force

21-22   Not in force.

Not in force

23-24   Not in force.

Not in force

25   Not in force.

Not in force

26-27   Not in force.

Not in force

28-29   Not in force.

Not in force

30-32   Not in force.

Not in force

33   Not in force.

Not in force

34-37   Not in force.