Chatham ophthalmologist Chris Anjema will face four months of suspension later this year, following a hearing from the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons (OCPS) on March 22.
OCPS’s disciplinary committee met via videoconference to address allegations into Anjema’s professional misconduct related to his ophthalmology practice, including concerns about aspects of his clinical care, patient communication, clinical documentation and billing practices, according to the OCPS.
Anjema admitted certain facts and pleaded no contest to others, OCPS officials said.
Based on an agreed statement of facts, and a statement of uncontested facts and plea, the disciplinary committee found that Anjema “committed an act of professional misconduct in that he failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession in his care of patients, and engaged in an act or omission relevant to the practice of medicine that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional,” hearing information on the OCPS website stated.
As a result, Anjema will be suspended for four months, beginning July 1, and has to pay the OCPS $10,370, the costs of the disciplinary hearing.
Anjema, via social media, addressed the results of the hearing.
“I’ve always tried to be the best doctor I can be no matter what. I understand the important work of the College in striving to protect the public and to maintain the integrity of the medical profession. I’m sorry to say that they have found that I did not always meet College standards during the period they studied through 2011-2016. So, I’m being disciplined accordingly. I accept what has happened and I am accountable for the outcome,” he wrote on the Anjema Eye Institute’s Facebook page.
Anjema said he is learning from the experience.
“I take responsibility for what happens in my practice and I am completely committed to meeting and exceeding the College’s standards going forward,” he wrote. “The College process has really helped me to reflect in detail on the way in which we practice medicine.”
While Anjema is suspended from July 1 to Nov. 1, he said via Facebook two ophthalmologists will be covering his practice in his absence.
The OCPS disciplinary committee’s full reasons for decision will be released sometime in the next 12 weeks.
