Appointment and reappointment of doctors in Canadian hospitals

Summary The mechanisms are described by which medical staff are selected and reviewed in an average Canadian hospital. Unlike the United Kingdom, all clinical appointments have a defined term and the onus is upon the incumbent to indicate his suitability for continued appointment. Ultimate legal responsibility for the administrative and medical management of hospitals is that of a lay representative board which delegates authority to doctors nominated by their peers. Thus, the credentials committee is held responsible for the initial investigation and subsequent annual monitoring of all doctors with respect to professional and personal suitability to practise. It is suggested that, despite the differences in provision of health care in Canada, some of these concepts might be worthy of discussion in the United Kingdom. Formerly representative for the Canadian Council on Hospital Accreditation; now Registrar in Community Medicine.