From a decision issued earlier this year by the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board of Ontario. The board was responding to a complaint filed by a patient about the quality of care she received from her doctor, identified as N.J.K.

The patient advised the college that N.J.K. had fallen completely asleep at least five times during their sessions and noted how difficult that had been for her. She explained that she had lived a life of invalidation, keeping secrets because she thought no one would care, and his falling asleep made her feel weak and unimportant.

She spoke of an incident during her hospitalization in which she was restrained by hospital staff. She recalled this as a traumatic assault that revictimized her. She told the college that N.J.K. did not acknowledge her experience and that he responded to her with a blank stare. N.J.K. has abused her time and wasted over a decade of her life. He has acknowledged and apologized for his tiredness during sessions. He stated that he has moved her appointments to late mornings to address this.

The Health Professions Appeal and Review Board advises N.J.K. not to fall asleep.