Policy Statements

Consent

under the Personal Information Protection and Electronics Documents Act

under The Personal Health Information Protection Act

The Personal Information Protection and Electronics Documents Act (PIPEDA) is federal privacy legislation that came into effect on January 1st 2004.

The Personal Health Information Act (PHIPA) is provincial privacy legislation specifically designed for the handling of health information that came into effect on November 1st 2004. It applies to any collection, use and disclosure of personal health information by a “health information custodian”, which is a significant expansion from PIPEDA that generally applied only to practitioners working in private practice. The PHIPA legislation applies to almost all practitioners in clinical practice. It is enforced by the Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Dr. Unger’s private practice complies with PIPEDA and PHIPA. He is committed to respecting the privacy rights of all patients and their clinical records by ensuring that their personal information is collected, used and stored in an appropriate and ethical manner. The principles regarding the use of personal information established in his practice conform to the current requirements of PIPEDA and PHIPA, and will be amended in the future to conform to any new federal or provincial  legislation.
Dr. Unger collects personal information from his patients to assist in their treatment.

Prior to receiving professional services from Dr. Unger for any assessment and\or treatment, he requires that his patients read, understand and sign a consent form relating to the collection, use, authorized disclosure and storage of personal information.

Dr. Unger maintains a Personal Information Policy in accordance with the requirements of PIPEDA and PHIPA. Patients will understand that, in order to provide psychological services, he will obtain personal information. Patients will understand and consent to the collection, use, storage and\or disclosure of personal information in accordance with the purposes as set out in the policy, which include the following: (1) maintaining complete and accurate patient files, and complying with the requirements of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, the Psychology Act, and regulations under the various Acts; (2) providing electronic services such as contacting by telephone or email; (3) electronically communicating and working with any authorized third parties, including insurance companies that may pay for all or part of the fees for professional services rendered.

Patients will understand and consent that: (1) Personal information will not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected except with written consent, or where disclosure is required by law; and (2) each patient has the right to view their own personal information and have it amended if inaccurate or incomplete.

Each patient will be provided an opportunity to ask questions about Dr. Unger’s PIPEDA and PHIPA Privacy Policy and any questions or concerns will be fully discussed and resolved prior to beginning any professional service.