Discipline Case Summary
The following is a summary of a matter placed before a five member panel of the Discipline Committee of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. The hearing started in January 2010 and after 21 days of hearing, concluded on September 19, 2011.
Allegations
On February 18, 2009 the Executive Committee of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario referred Mr. Alexander Akuamoah Boateng to Discipline.
The allegations included that Mr. Akuamoah-Boateng:
- Failed to maintain the standards of practice of the profession
- Falsified a record
- Charged a fee that was excessive in relation to the services performed
- Signed or issued a document that he knew or ought to have known was false or misleading
- Signed or issued a document without taking reasonable steps to ascertain the accuracy of its contents
- Submitted an account or charge for services that he knew or ought to have known was misleading
- Continued treatment where it was no longer indicated or treatment ceased to be effective, or provided unnecessary treatment
- Failed without reasonable cause to provide a report to the patient or his or her authorized representative
- Refused to cooperate with a representative of the College
- Contravened a provincial law relevant to the member’s suitability to practice
- Engaged in conduct that was disgraceful, dishonorable or unprofessional
Decision
At the conclusion of the hearing, Mr. Akuamoah Boateng was found to have committed 61 out of the 76 alleged acts of professional misconduct
Penalty and Costs
The panel directed that the Registrar revoke Mr. Akuamoah Boateng’s certificate of registration. In addition, the panel ordered costs in the amount of $200 000 to be paid to the College over 60 months.
Reasons
In their reasons the panel noted that they had made one or more findings of professional conduct in regard to
61 separate allegations out of a total of 76 allegations referenced in the notice of hearing. The number of findings reflected the repetitive nature of the misconduct. The panel considered the broad scope and serious nature of the misconduct and took into consideration that the findings included the issues of making a false statement to the College, inappropriate use of title and the alteration of physician referrals.
The panel considered the previous finding made against Mr. Akuamoah Boateng by a panel of the Discipline Committee in 1997 and noted some similarities to the current matter. The panel noted that Mr. Akuamoah Boateng did not express any remorse to the panel at any point during the hearing. He did, however, demonstrate his unwillingness to be governed and displayed no insight into the seriousness of his actions.
The panel expressed the opinion that there was no action that could be taken to rehabilitate the member or deter him from similar actions in the future.
Note: A copy of the panel’s decision and reasons is available by contacting the hearings office at investigations@collegept.org.