Privacy of your health information
DermCare is a health information custodian under Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA). The Act sets out how your personal health information may be collected, used and shared, and gives you rights in relation to it.
What we collect and why
We collect the information needed to provide your care and to bill OHIP: your identity and contact details, your health card number, the referral, your medical history, examination findings, images where clinically relevant, test results and treatment records.
Who we share it with
Your information is shared, as part of your care, with the physician who referred you, your family physician, the laboratory that processes a biopsy, your pharmacy where a prescription is sent electronically, and OHIP for billing. Within the clinic, access is limited to staff involved in your care and its administration. We do not sell or share your information for marketing.
Information is shared outside your circle of care only with your consent, or where the law requires or permits it, for example a public health reporting obligation or a court order.
Your rights under PHIPA
- To see and obtain a copy of your record. Ask at reception or call 905 625 5600. A reasonable fee may apply for copies.
- To request a correction if you believe information in your record is inaccurate or incomplete.
- To withdraw or limit consent to sharing, subject to limits set by the law. Tell us if there is a provider you do not want to receive your information.
- To know how your information is used, and to ask questions of the clinic's privacy contact.
- To complain to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario if you believe your privacy has been breached.
Clinical images are part of your record and are stored securely. They are not used for teaching, publication or any purpose outside your care without your separate written consent.
Email and text messages
Email and standard text messaging are not secure. The clinic does not send clinical results or receive clinical images by email. If you contact us by email, please limit the message to scheduling and do not include health details.
Respect
You can expect to be treated with courtesy and respect by every member of our team, regardless of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, or how you came to be referred. You are entitled to have your questions answered in language you understand, to be told about your options and the reasons for the dermatologist's recommendation, to decline any examination or treatment, and to have a support person with you.
A skin examination is a personal examination. You will be offered a gown, the door will be closed, and only the people needed for your care will be in the room. Tell us if you would prefer a chaperone.
In return we ask that staff and other patients are treated with the same respect. Abusive or threatening behaviour towards staff is not tolerated and may result in care being discontinued, in accordance with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario's policies on ending the physician patient relationship.
Interpreters
If English is not your first language, or you are Deaf or hard of hearing, tell us when we call to book. The clinic's interpreter arrangements, including whether telephone interpretation is available and in which languages, are being confirmed. You are welcome to bring a family member or friend to interpret, although for consent to a procedure or a discussion of a serious diagnosis a professional interpreter is preferred so that nothing is lost.
Our dermatologists speak English. Dr. Ejaz also speaks Urdu. Other languages spoken by clinic staff are being confirmed.
Accessibility
DermCare is committed to meeting the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Details of the building's step free access, elevator, accessible washroom and accessible parking are being confirmed and will be published on the location page. Service animals are welcome. If you need an accommodation, such as a longer appointment, assistance transferring to the examination table, or large print materials, tell us when you book so we can arrange it.
See getting here for the building details as they are confirmed.
Raising a concern
If something about your care or your experience at the clinic has not met your expectations, we would like to hear about it, and we would prefer to hear it directly so that we can address it.
Speak to us at the time
Many concerns can be resolved on the day by the staff member or the dermatologist involved. Ask to speak to the office manager if you prefer.
Contact the clinic in writing
Write to the Medical Director, Dr. Aiza Ejaz, at 1065 Canadian Place, Unit 206, Mississauga, Ontario L4W 0C2, or call 905 625 5600 and ask for a call back. Describe what happened, when, and what you would like to see done. You will receive a response.
Contact the regulator
If your concern is about a physician's conduct or care and has not been resolved with the clinic, you may contact the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, which regulates physicians in the province. Complaints can be made through cpso.on.ca or by telephone at 1 800 268 7096. Concerns about privacy may be taken to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario at ipc.on.ca.
Raising a concern will not affect the care you receive.
Our physicians are regulated
Both DermCare dermatologists are certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and hold Independent Practice registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Their registration can be checked on the public register at cpso.on.ca: Dr. Aiza Ejaz, CPSO 93570, and Dr. Faisal Al-Mohammedi, CPSO 91228. See our physicians.