Policy for External Consultations, Research & Surveys

September 2024

The College often receives requests to participate in external consultations and research (e.g., provide letters of support or partner in a study) or to send surveys to members for research purposes. Answering the five questions below, on a case-by-case basis, will help assess whether the College should participate. The final decision will be made at the discretion of registrar & executive director of the College.

Answer these five questions:

1. Is the issue related to College public protection/public interest mandate? The aim of the consultation/research must be aligned with a health regulatory issue (as opposed to professional interests).
2. Does the issue require regulatory action (e.g. actions that are within the College objects or translate to the achievement of any objects of the College as set out in Schedule 2 of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991)?
3. Does the College have the required competencies and resources available to take this on or to prioritize this at the time the request is made and in light of other College priorities?
4. Do the anticipated benefits of participating in the consultation/research outweigh any risks/costs to the College (e.g. staff resources, reputation of the College, etc.)?
5. Is there an absence of a real or perceived conflict of interest in supporting or participating in the consultation/research?