In October 2022, the Advertising and Communication with the Public practice standard was revised to accommodate for amendments to ºÚÁÏÉç Bylaws. The revisions specifically clarified the proper use of the title "specialist" and how to advertise a "focused area of practice." This change clarified what constitutes an appropriate use of title and who can refer to themselves a specialist.
Since this change, there have been questions from patients about use of titles, and from registrants about how to properly list education and expertise without breaching the standard. Addressing these questions is important as the improper use of titles can be misleading.
Use of specialist
Registrants certified by the Royal ºÚÁÏÉç of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the ºÚÁÏÉç of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) can refer to themselves as specialists. Only those with the above-mentioned certifications can use the specialist title. Those holding CFPC certification can only refer to themselves as a specialist in family medicine, and those holding a RCPSC certification can only refer to themselves as a specialist in their respective fields.
Focused areas of practice
Often registrants develop areas of practice in which they have added expertise. Focused areas of practice may come in the form of an RCPSC subspecialty, a CFPC Certificate of Added Competence (CAC), or an area in which a registrant has a dedicated scope of practice and holds further training/education but does not hold either of the national certifications. There is nothing that prohibits registrants from listing their education, extra skills training, areas of research, etc. in their advertising of services. Providing areas of interest may be helpful for referring registrants in choosing the best practitioner for their patient.
Balancing expertise and clarity
An important distinction is evident in the case of family physicians with supplementary training in dermatology. While they may hold a dermatology diploma, the ºÚÁÏÉç does not equate this to RCPSC specialty or CAC recognition. As such, family physicians must not label themselves as dermatologists or advertise dermatology practice. The ºÚÁÏÉç does permit registrants to list the actual name of their certifications without altering them and to work in dermatology settings, as long as limits of practice are clear.