On December 8, 2017, the Discipline Committee found that Dr. Peter Bernard Cote committed an act of professional misconduct, in that has engaged in conduct or an act or omission relevant to the practice of medicine that, having regard to all of the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonorable, or unprofessional.
Dr. Cote is a family medicine specialist who, during the relevant period of time, was practising in Manitouwadge, District of Thunder Bay. He graduated from McGill University’s medical school in 1988 and was granted a certificate of registration authorizing independent practice from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (“the College”) in September 1990. Dr. Cote held hospital privileges at the Manitouwadge General Hospital.
Physician Health Program
On November 14, 2012, Dr. Cote entered into a 3-year monitoring contract with the Physician Health Program (“PHP”) as resolution to an incapacity matter. On June 4, 2014, the College received a monitoring report from Dr. Cote's PHP Case Manager outlining concerns with respect to Dr. Cote's adherence to the contract, including one missed urine screen; one positive urine screen and insufficient attendance with his treating clinician.
Undertaking with the College
This information led to Dr. Cote entering into an Undertaking with the College in November 2014, whereby he agreed that if he failed to comply with his PHP Contract “ action may constitute a breach of this undertaking, and an act of professional misconduct.”
On January 2, 2015, the College received the PHP's second annual report, stating that Dr. Cote had breached terms of his contract, including through supplementing prescription medicine with samples from his office when he ran out of his prescription medications.
Termination of PHP Contract
On June 18, 2015, information was received from the PHP that Dr. Cote failed to abide by the terms of his undertaking to this PHP, including missed appointments with his primary monitor on March 10 and April 13, 2015; no response to attempts to re-establish contact and failure to follow through with a referral to a therapist. Dr. Cote did not reach out to his family doctor or the PHP Clinical Coordinator when he experienced a reoccurrence of some of his mental health symptoms. Due to continued non-compliance with the PHP monitoring agreement, the PHP suspended and subsequently terminated Dr. Cote’s contract.
Cease to Practice
On March 25, 2017, in the context of an incapacity investigation, Dr. Cote signed a Cease to Practice undertaking.
Disposition
On December 8, 2017, the Committee ordered and directed that:
- Dr. Cote appear before the panel to be reprimanded.
- Dr. Cote pay costs to the College in the amount of $5,500.00 within thirty (30) days of the date of this Order.