Workplace Violence Against Nurses in Canada: A Legal Analysis.

Workplace violence against nurses is a significant global occupational health problem, with incidents of violence increasing in frequency since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In this article, we provide a review of recent legislative amendments meant to bolster workplace safety in health care in Canada, analyze legal cases where nurses were the victims of violence, and discuss what these legal reforms and decisions reveal about how nurses' work is treated within the Canadian legal system. Under criminal law, the limited number of cases we could find with oral or written sentencing decisions show that, historically, the fact a victim was a nurse was not always considered an aggravating factor on sentencing. Recent legislative amendments make this a specified aggravating factor and it is important to track the impact of these amendments when judges exercise their discretion in sentencing. Under employment law, it appears that, despite the government's efforts to increase the deterrence factor under legislation with significantly increased fines for employers who fail to protect their employees from injury, courts remain reluctant to impose such sanctions. In these cases, it is also important to track the impact of harsher penalties. We conclude that combating the widespread normalization of workplace violence in health care, and specifically against nurses, is acutely needed to help ensure that these ongoing legal reforms aimed at improving the safety of health workers are effective.

Protecting the public interest while regulating health professionals providing virtual care: A scoping review.

Technology is transforming service delivery in many health professions, particularly with the rapid shift to virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health profession regulators must navigate legal and ethical complexities to facilitate virtual care while upholding their mandate to protect the public interest. The objectives of this scoping review were to examine how the public interest is protected when regulating health professionals who provide virtual care, discuss policy and practice implications of virtual care, and make recommendations for future research. We searched six multidisciplinary databases for academic literature published in English between January 2015 and May 2021. We also searched specific databases and websites for relevant grey literature. After screening, 59 academic articles and 18 grey literature sources were included for analysis. We identified five key findings: the public interest when regulating health professionals providing virtual care was only implicitly considered in most of the literature; when the public interest was discussed, the dimension of access was emphasized; criticism in the literature focused on social ideologies driving regulation that may inhibit more widespread use of virtual care; subnational licensure was viewed as a barrier; and the demand for virtual care during COVID-19 catalyzed licensure and scope of practice changes. Overall, virtual care introduces new areas of risk, potential harm, and inequity that health profession regulators need to address as technology continues to evolve. Regulators have an essential role in providing clear standards and guidelines around virtual care, including what is required for competent practice. There are indications that the public interest concept is evolving in relation to virtual care as regulators continue to balance public safety, equitable access to services, and economic competitiveness.

Regulating During Crisis: A Qualitative Comparative Case Study of Nursing Regulatory Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic placed intense pressure on nursing regulatory bodies to ensure an adequate healthcare workforce while maintaining public safety. Purpose: Our objectives were to analyze regulatory bodies' responses during the pandemic, examine how nursing regulators conceptualize the public interest during a public health crisis, and explore the influence of a public health crisis on the balancing of regulatory principles. We aimed to develop a clearer understanding of regulating during a crisis by identifying themes within regulatory responses. Methods: We conducted a qualitative comparative case study examining the pandemic responses of eight nursing regulators in three Canadian provinces and three U.S. states. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with 19 representatives of nursing regulatory bodies and 206 publicly available documents and analyzed thematically. Results: Five themes were constructed from the data: (1) risk-based responses to reduce regulatory burden; (2) agility and flexibility in regulatory pandemic responses; (3) working with stakeholders for a systems-based approach; (4) valuing consistency in regulatory approaches across jurisdictions; and (5) the pandemic as a catalyst for innovation. Specifically, we identified that the meaning of "public interest" in the context of high workforce demand was a key consideration for regulators. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the intensity of effort involved in nursing regulatory responses and the significant contribution of nursing regulation to the healthcare system's pandemic response. Our results also indicate a shift in thinking around broader public interest issues, beyond the conduct and competence of individual nurses, to include pressing societal issues. Regulators are beginning to grapple with these longer-term issues and policy tensions.

Protecting the public interest when regulating health professionals providing virtual care: a scoping review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Virtual care is transforming the nature of healthcare, particularly with the accelerated shift to telehealth and virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health profession regulators face intense pressures to safely facilitate this type of healthcare while upholding their legislative mandate to protect the public. Challenges for health profession regulators have included providing practice guidance for virtual care, changing entry-to-practice requirements to include digital competencies, facilitating interjurisdictional virtual care through licensure and liability insurance requirements, and adapting disciplinary procedures. This scoping review will examine the literature on how the public interest is protected when regulating health professionals providing virtual care. METHODS: This review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology. Academic and grey literature will be retrieved from health sciences, social sciences, and legal databases using a comprehensive search strategy underpinned by Population-Concept-Context (PCC) inclusion criteria. Articles published in English since January 2015 will be considered for inclusion. Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts and full-text sources against specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Discrepancies will be resolved through discussion or by a third reviewer. One research team member will extract relevant data from the selected documents and a second will validate the extractions. DISCUSSION: Results will be presented in a descriptive synthesis that highlights implications for regulatory policy and professional practice, as well as study limitations and knowledge gaps that warrant further research. Given the rapid expansion of virtual care provision by regulated health professionals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, mapping the literature on how the public interest is protected in this rapidly evolving digital health sector may help inform future regulatory reform and innovation. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: This protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/BD2ZX ).

Regulating in the public interest: Lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This article has three aims. First, to reflect on how conceptualizations of the public interest may have shifted due to COVID-19. Second, to focus on the implications of regulatory responses for the health workforce and corresponding lessons as health leaders and systems transition from pandemic response to pandemic recovery. Third, to identify how these lessons lead to potential directions for future research, connecting regulation in a whole-of-systems approach to health system safety and health workforce capacity and sustainability. Pandemic regulatory responses highlighted both strengths and limitations of regulatory structures and frameworks. The COVID-19 pandemic may have introduced new considerations around regulating in the public interest, particularly as the impact of regulatory responses on the health workforce continues to be examined. Clearly articulating practitioner practice parameters, reducing barriers to practice, and working collaboratively with stakeholders were primary aspects of regulators' pandemic responses that impacted the health workforce.

Participation of women in the health workforce in the fragile and conflict-affected countries: a scoping review.

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND: The full participation of women as healthcare providers is recognized globally as critical to favorable outcomes at all levels, including the healthcare system, to achieving universal health coverage and sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030. However, systemic challenges, gender biases, and inequities exist for women in the global healthcare workforce. Fragile and conflict-affected states/countries (FCASs) experience additional pressures that require specific attention to overcome challenges and disparities for sustainable development. FCASs account for 42% of global deaths due to communicable, maternal, perinatal, and nutritional conditions, requiring an appropriate health workforce. Consequently, there is a need to understand the impact of gender on workforce participation, particularly women in FCASs. METHODS: This scoping review examined the extent and nature of existing literature, as well as identified factors affecting women's participation in the health workforce in FCASs. Following Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review methodology framework, a systematic search was conducted of published literature in five health sciences databases and grey literature. Two reviewers independently screened the title and abstract, followed by a full-text review for shortlisted sources against set criteria. RESULTS: Of 4284, 34 sources were reviewed for full text, including 18 primary studies, five review papers, and 11 grey literature sources. In most FCASs, women predominate in the health workforce, concentrated in nursing and midwifery professions; medicine, and the decision-making and leadership positions, however, are occupied by men. The review identified several constraints for women, related to professional hierarchies, gendered socio-cultural norms, and security conditions. Several sources highlight the post-conflict period as a window of opportunity to break down gender biases and stereotypes, while others highlight drawbacks, including influences by consultants, donors, and non-governmental organizations. Consultants and donors focus narrowly on programs and interventions solely serving women's reproductive health rather than taking a comprehensive approach to gender mainstreaming in planning human resources during the healthcare system's restructuring. CONCLUSION: The review identified multiple challenges and constraints facing efforts to create gender equity in the health workforce of FCASs. However, without equal participation of women in the health workforce, it will be difficult for FCASs to make progress towards achieving the SDG on gender equality.

Nursing Experts, Hygienic Modernity, and Nation Building: The Case of Nursing in Ethiopia in the Post-Colonial Era.

This is a tale in three parts. It begins with an exploration of the story of Princess Tsahai, daughter of Haile Selassie, and the highly successful British campaign led by suffragette E. Sylvia Pankhurst to bring British-style nursing and medicine to Ethiopia in the 1940s and 1950s. Second, it examines the role of foreign women, most notably Swedish missionary nurses, in building health services and nursing capacity in the country. Finally, it examines the way in which nursing brought together gendered notions of expertise and geopolitical pressures to redefine expectations for Ethiopian women as citizens of the new nation-state.

Not Part of the Job: An Analysis of Characterizations of Workplace Violence against Nurses in Canada by Unions and Professional Associations.

In the spring of 2019, Canada's House of Commons Standing Committee on Health reviewed the issue of workplace violence in healthcare and issued a report with nine recommendations. By summer that year, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions had two active campaigns on workplace violence characterized by a strong social media presence. In 2020, a private member's bill was sponsored to amend Canada's Criminal Code in cases of assault against a healthcare worker. In the face of these developments, we were interested in the framing of the problem of workplace violence by professional and labour organizations in Canada. We examined documents, websites and social media posts from selected nursing unions and professional associations, including both national and provincial organizations. We found that nursing unions and professional associations have distinctive views on workplace violence. We argue that these divergent understandings preclude the creation of consistent and successful political and organizational strategies that would help create safe workplaces for nurses.

Commentary: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: A Key Solution to the Crisis of Doctoral Nursing Education in Canada.

Canada desperately needs more doctoral graduates. We also need more diverse graduates to move into education and leadership roles across the country. This article examines the origins and development of doctoral education for nurses in Canada and the continuing dire shortfall of doctorally prepared nurses to meet the expanding needs of the profession. In the context of this desperate shortage, this article then moves to examine the critical issues of equity, diversity and inclusion and the failure of the nursing academy and the profession to address these long-standing matters. These two issues - the shortfall of doctoral graduates and the lack of diversity in education and leadership in nursing - need to be addressed through a combined and focused strategy if we are to ensure the future sustainability of the profession. Given the decade-long lead time required to effect significant changes in doctoral graduations, the article concludes with a call for a national strategy engaging multiple stakeholders to increase awareness of the issues and their implications for the sustainability of the profession. It concludes that only through the united efforts of the profession will Canadian nursing be able to ensure that nursing education will produce a sufficient number of graduates for the needs of education, practice and policy across the country and that these graduates will better reflect the diversity of the nursing profession and the Canadian population, overall.

Eliot Freidson's sociology of professions: an interpretation for Health and Nursing.

OBJECTIVES: to analyze theoretical conceptions of Eliot Freidson's Sociology of Professions scoped on health and nursing professions. METHODS: Eight nurses were interviewed, all involved in the development of the professional Council on the timeframe from 1975 to 1986. Documental resources were Laws, Ordinances, Resolutions, Reports, Meeting Minutes and Public Deeds. Information was organized as from literature and Eliot Freidson's conceptions, and thematic content analysis was carried out. RESULTS: the concepts authored by Eliot Freidson allowed for the development of a concept chart that portrays the nursing profession and that may be expanded for the other occupations in the health field, in consonance with professional organization in the country. Final Considerations: Eliot Freidson's framework, in interpretation for nursing, consolidates the profession with relative autonomy, expertise by Nursing Care Systematization and credentialism by professional normalizations.

Eliot Freidson's sociology of professions: an interpretation for Health and Nursing / Sociología de las profesiones de Eliot Freidson: interpretación para la Salud y la Enfermería / Sociologia das profissões de Eliot Freidson: interpretação para a Saúde e Enfermagem

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze theoretical conceptions of Eliot Freidson's Sociology of Professions scoped on health and nursing professions. Methods: Eight nurses were interviewed, all involved in the development of the professional Council on the timeframe from 1975 to 1986. Documental resources were Laws, Ordinances, Resolutions, Reports, Meeting Minutes and Public Deeds. Information was organized as from literature and Eliot Freidson's conceptions, and thematic content analysis was carried out. Results: the concepts authored by Eliot Freidson allowed for the development of a concept chart that portrays the nursing profession and that may be expanded for the other occupations in the health field, in consonance with professional organization in the country. Final Considerations: Eliot Freidson's framework, in interpretation for nursing, consolidates the profession with relative autonomy, expertise by Nursing Care Systematization and credentialism by professional normalizations.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar las concepciones teóricas de la Sociología de las Profesiones de Eliot Freidson para el alcance de las profesiones de salud y enfermería. Métodos: estudio sociohistórico cualitativo, con fuentes orales y documentales. Se entrevistó a ocho enfermeras involucradas en el desarrollo del Consejo Profesional en el período de 1975 a 1986. Los documentales fueron Leyes, ordenanzas, resoluciones, informes, actas de reuniones y escrituras públicas. La información se organizó a partir de la literatura y las concepciones de Eliot Freidson, y se realizó un análisis de contenido temático. Resultados: los conceptos emitidos por Eliot Freidson permitieron la creación de un marco conceptual que represente a la profesión de enfermería, que podría ampliarse a otras profesiones de la salud, en línea con la organización profesional del país. Consideraciones Finales: el marco de Eliot Freidson, en interpretación de enfermería, consolida la profesión con relativa autonomía, experiencia en Sistematización de la Atención de Enfermería y credencialismo en los estándares profesionales.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar as concepções teóricas da Sociologia das Profissões de Eliot Freidson para o âmbito das Profissões da Saúde e da Enfermagem. Métodos: estudo qualitativo sócio-histórico, com fontes orais e documentais. Foram entrevistados oito enfermeiros envolvidos no desenvolvimento do Conselho profissional no recorte temporal de 1975 a 1986. As documentais foram Leis, Portarias, Resoluções, Relatórios, Atas de Reuniões e Escrituras Públicas. As informações foram organizadas a partir da literatura e concepções de Eliot Freidson, e realizada análise de conteúdo temática. Resultados: os conceitos emitidos por Eliot Freidson permitiram a criação de um Quadro conceitual que representa a Profissão Enfermagem, podendo ser ampliado para as demais profissões da área da Saúde, em consonância com a organização profissional no país. Considerações Finais: o referencial de Eliot Freidson, em interpretação para a Enfermagem, consolida a profissão com autonomia relativa, expertise pela Sistematização da Assistência de Enfermagem e credencialismo pelas normalizações profissionais.

Da educação em serviço à educação continuada em um hospital federal / De la educación de servicio a la educación continua en un hospital federal / From in-service education to continuing education in a federal hospital

RESUMO: Objetivo analisar as implicações da Educação em Serviço para o exercício do poder disciplinar dos enfermeiros na criação do serviço de Educação Continuada do Hospital Geral de Bonsucesso (HGB). Método Estudo histórico-social cujas fontes foram documentos escritos e depoimentos orais; utilizada a análise do discurso Foucaultiano. Resultados As atividades da Educação em Serviço no HGB passaram por dois períodos de descontinuidade e foram utilizadas como instrumento de poder disciplinar exercido pelas enfermeiras do hospital, capazes de controlar e organizar o serviço de enfermagem da instituição, fornecendo base para a criação do serviço de Educação Continuada. Conclusão e implicações para a prática a criação da Educação Continuada funcionou como um dispositivo utilizado pelas enfermeiras detentoras de saber e poder para execução do poder disciplinar, capaz de disciplinar e adestrar os funcionários, de forma sutil, evitando atitudes contrárias aos objetivos do serviço de enfermagem, na tentativa de garantir o controle e a qualificação do mesmo. Ao refletir sobre práticas educativas/ educação continuada estimula-se a transformação da assistência a partir das necessidades dos usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), contribuindo, dessa forma, para a qualidade dos serviços de saúde.

RESUMEN: Objetivo Analizar las implicaciones de la Educación en el Servicio para el ejercicio del poder disciplinario de las enfermeras en la creación del servicio de educación continua del Hospital Geral de Bonsucesso (HGB). Método Estudio histórico-social, cuyas fuentes fueron documentos escritos y declaraciones orales; fue utilizado el análisis del discurso Foucaultiano. Resultados Las actividades de Educación en Servicio en el HGB pasaron por dos períodos de discontinuidad y fueron utilizadas como un instrumento de poder disciplinario ejercido por las enfermeras del hospital, capaces de controlar y organizar el servicio de enfermería de la institución, proporcionando la base para la creación del servicio de Educación Continua de la enfermería. Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica La creación de la Educación Continua funcionó como un dispositivo utilizado por enfermeras con conocimiento y poder para ejecutar el poder disciplinario, capaz de disciplinar y capacitar sutilmente a los empleados, evitando actitudes contrarias a los objetivos del servicio de enfermería, en un intento de garantizar su control y calificación. Reflexionar sobre las prácticas educativas / educación continua estimula la transformación de la atención basada en las necesidades de los usuarios del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS), contribuyendo así a la calidad de los servicios de salud.

ABSTRACT: Objective To analyze the implications of in-service education for the exercise of disciplinary power of nurses in the creation of the continuing education service of the Hospital Geral de Bonsucesso (HGB). Method Social-historical study, whose sources were written documents and oral statements; Foucauldian discourse analysis was used. Results In-service education activities in the HGB went through two periods of discontinuity and were used as an instrument of disciplinary power exercised by hospital nurses, capable of controlling and organizing the institution's nursing service, providing basis for the creation of the Continuing Education service. Conclusion and implications for practice The creation of Continuing Education functioned as a device used by nurses with knowledge and power to execute disciplinary power, capable of subtly disciplining and training employees, avoiding attitudes contrary to the objectives of the nursing service, in an attempt to ensure its control and qualification. When reflecting on educational practices / continuing education it is stimulated the transformation of care based on the needs of Unified Health System (UHS) users, thus contributing to the quality of health services.

The Nurses No-One Remembers: Looking for Spanish Nurses in Accounts of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).

Accounts of Spanish nursing and nurses during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) that appear in the memoirs and correspondence of International Brigade volunteers, and are subsequently repeated in the secondary literature on the war, give little indication of existence of trained nurses in country. We set out to examine this apparent erasure of the long tradition of skilled nursing in Spain and the invisibility of thousands of Spanish nurses engaged in the war effort. We ask two questions: How can we understand the narrative thrust of the international volunteer accounts and subsequent historiography? And what was the state of nursing in Spain on the Republican side during the war as presented by Spanish participants and historians? We put the case that the narrative erasure of Spanish professional nursing prior to the Civil War was the result of the politicization of nursing under the Second Republic, its repression and reengineering under the Franco dictatorship, and the subsequent national policy of "oblivion" or forgetting that dominated the country during the transition to democracy. This policy silenced the stories of veteran nurses and prevented an examination of the impact of the Civil War on the Spanish nursing profession.

Emigration and job security: An analysis of workforce trends for Spanish-trained nurses (2010-2015).

AIM: To analyse the relationship between Spanish nurses' intention to migrate and job security. BACKGROUND: Nursing emigration from Spain increased dramatically between 2010 and 2013. By 2015, emigration had returned to 2010 levels. METHODS: Single embedded case study. We examined publicly available statistics to test for a relationship between job security and applications by Spanish nurses to have credentials recognized for emigration purposes. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2015, job security worsened, with poor access to the profession for new graduates, increased rate of professional dropout, increased nursing jobseekers and falling numbers of permanent contracts. CONCLUSIONS: The number of accreditation applications in Spain in 2010 and 2015 was very similar, but job security worsened on a number of fronts. The distribution of work through part-time contracts aided retention. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Policymakers and health care administrators can benefit from understanding the relationship between mobility, workforce planning and the availability of full-time, part-time and short-term contract work in order to design nursing retention programmes and ensure the sustainability of the health care system.

The uniform of nursing students: a strategy for the construction of professional identity (1950-1960) / Uniforme de alumnas de enfermería: estrategia para construcción de la identidad profesional (1950-1960) / Uniforme de alunas de enfermagem: estratégia para construção da identidade profissional (1950-1960)

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the use of the student uniform as one of the determinants in the establishment of the professional identity of the nurse graduated from Escola de Enfermagem Anna Nery in the 1950-1960. Method: Socio-historical study, using documents of that time and interviews by means of the thematic oral history technique with seven former Escola de Enfermagem Anna Nery students as sources, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Claude Dubar's concept of identity supported the discussion of the data. Results: the uniform leveled the students, equaled them and set a standard of behavior to be followed. It also distinguished them hierarchically and served as an assessment item during the course. Conclusion: the uniform was a determinant strategy of the professional identity during the daily course reality as, according to the former students, it was an element that distinguished this group's positions and behaviors, permitting the understanding of the graduated nurse's possible roles in the society of that time.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar el uso del uniforme de alumna como uno de los determinantes de formación de la identidad profesional de la enfermera diplomada por la Escola de Enfermagem Anna Nery, en las décadas de 1950-1960. Método: Estudio socio-histórico, cuyas fuentes fueron documentos de la época y entrevistas llevadas a cabo por la técnica de la historia oral temática con siete antiguas alumnas de la Escola de Enfermagem Anna Nery, Rio de janeiro, Brasil. El concepto de identidad de Claude Dubar apoyó la discusión de los datos. Resultados: el uniforme nivelaba las estudiantes, igualándolas y definiendo un patrón de conducta a ser seguido. También las diferenciaba jerárquicamente y era un objeto incluso en la evaluación durante el curso. Conclusion: El uniforme fue una estrategia determinante de la identidad profesional durante el cotidiano en el curso de la Escuela pues, según las antiguas alumnas, era un elemento que demarcaba posiciones y comportamientos de este grupo, permitiendo comprender los posibles papeles de la enfermera diplomada en la sociedad de aquel tiempo.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar o uso do uniforme de aluna como estratégia de formação da identidade profissional da enfermeira diplomada pela Escola de Enfermagem Anna Nery, nas décadas de 1950-1960. Método: estudo sócio-histórico, cujas fontes foram documentos da época e entrevistas realizadas pela técnica da história oral temática com sete ex-alunas da Escola de Enfermagem Anna Nery, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. O conceito de identidade de Claude Dubar subsidiou a discussão dos dados. Resultados; o uniforme nivelava as estudantes, igualando-as e definindo um padrão de comportamento a ser seguido. Também as diferenciava hierarquicamente e era um objeto incluso na avaliação durante o curso. Conclusão: o uniforme foi uma estratégia determinante da identidade profissional durante o cotidiano no curso, pois, na visão das ex-alunas, era um elemento que demarcava posições e comportamentos deste grupo, permitindo compreender os possíveis papéis da enfermeira diplomada na sociedade à época.

Factors in the drop in the migration of Spanish-trained nurses: 1999-2007.

AIM: To reveal correlates of the decrease of Spanish nurse migration (1999-2007). BACKGROUND: Nursing outmigration is a concern for countries. Nurse migration from Spain began in the 1990s. INTRODUCTION: From 1999 to 2007, the yearly number of migrations dropped significantly. We ask what social, economic and policy factors could be related to this drop. METHODS: We used publicly available statistics to confirm hypothesis (1) The drop in nursing migration coincided with a drop in nursing unemployment. Then we hypothesized that this coincided with (1a) a decrease in the number of graduates, (1b) an increase in the number of hospitals and/or beds functioning, and/or (1c) an increase in the ratio of part-time contracts. RESULTS: Our analysis confirms hypotheses (1) and (1c) and disconfirms (1a) and (1b). CONCLUSION: The greater availability of part-time contracts seems to have encouraged nurses to remain in Spain. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The strategy to reduce nursing unemployment with more part-time contracts, while temporarily successful in Spain, brings with it major challenges for patient care and the working life of nurses. We suggest that nurse leaders and health policymakers consider proactive policies to adjust the balance between supply and demand without decreasing the quality of available positions.

Mandatory Reporting of Health Professional Incompetence and Incapacity: Is it Time to Adopt the Australian Regime?

Identifying poor or unsafe practice is an important aspect of professional regulation. One way that health profession regulators access this information is through legislated mandatory reporting of incompetence or incapacity. Australia's mandatory reporting provisions are far-reaching and have become a touchstone issue in Australia's regulatory framework. In Ontario, mandatory reporting of health professionals is more limited. In this article, we compare the mandatory reporting regimes in these two jurisdictions through a historical and legal analysis examining the development and reform of mandatory reporting. Regulators' access to and handling of information about professionals has been under a critical media spotlight recently. Canadian policymakers and nurse leaders should consider advocating for more comprehensive mandatory reporting regimes with clear reporting structures to improve public confidence in regulation and protect the public.