Milk River Health Centre. (Image: Google Maps)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Southern Alberta doctor suspended for unprofessional conduct

Sep 12, 2022 | 10:45 AM

MILK RIVER, AB – The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) has issued sanctions against a doctor from southern Alberta.

A hearing was held on Aug. 18, in connection to an inappropriate relationship between Dr. Petrus Krog and a patient when he practiced in Milk River.

In early 2019, Krog exchanged text messages that were of a sexual nature with a patient while the two were in a relationship.

The Hearing Tribunal, in a decision published on Sept. 9, 2022, determined that this constituted a violation under the CPSA Standard of Practice on Sexual Boundary Violations.

“The Standard of Practice on Sexual Boundary Violations states that a physician must maintain professional boundaries and must not sexualize any interaction with a patient through conduct including, but not limited to, sexualizing comments,” reads a portion of the Tribunal’s findings. “Dr. Krog breached the Standard of Practice on Sexual Boundary Violations by sending the text messages to Patient A.”

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At the time of the offence, Krog was a full-time physician practicing at the Milk River Health Clinic and the Milk River Health Centre. He now practices at a clinic in Taber.

The counsel for Krog states that his client has accepted full responsibility for his actions and acknowledges that it was inappropriate to be in a relationship with a patient.

Since the offense was committed, there have not been any additional violations.

Krog’s practice permit has been suspended for three months. He received a credit of 22 days for when he was out of practice while moving to Taber in December 2020.

An existing chaperone condition will remain in effect at Krog’s clinic until he completes one year of psychological counselling and an official with the CPSA’s Physical Health Monitoring Program is satisfied that it is no longer required.

Krog will also be required to pay two-thirds of the cost of the investigation and hearing.