Frequently Asked Questions

The Public Health Physicians of Canada (PHPC) represents the interests of public health and preventive medicine specialists and public health physicians in Canada. With more than 300 members, PHPC is the unique and vibrant voice for public health and preventive medicine specialists/public health physicians and continues to grow each year in membership.

According to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, public health and preventive medicine is the branch of medicine concerned with the health of populations. The public health and preventive medicine specialist uses population health knowledge and skills to play leading and collaborative roles in the maintenance and improvement of the health and well being of the community. Through inter-disciplinary and inter-sectoral partnerships, the public health and preventive medicine specialist measures the health needs of populations and develops strategies for improving health and well being, through health promotion, disease prevention and health protection.

Population health is an approach to health that aims to improve the health of the entire population and to reduce health inequities among population groups. In order to reach these objectives, it looks at and acts upon the broad range of factors and conditions, outside of the health system such as poverty, housing and systemic discrimination, that have a strong influence on our health.

PHPC has a membership of approximately 300 public health and preventive medicine specialists and residents, and other public health physicians from across Canada.

Active Member

A graduate of a Canadian medical school or equivalent, with either a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) Fellowship or a Quebec certificate in public health and preventive medicine or community medicine (or equivalent) and licensed by a Canadian licensing authority to practice medicine. Active Members must also be engaged in practice related to public health and preventive medicine or otherwise show an active and primary interest in the field of public health and preventive medicine and conform to PHPC standards. Active Members have the right to participate in all PHPC meetings, hold any office and vote.

Resident Member

In a training program accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or equivalent, in a field related to public health and preventive medicine. Resident Members have the right to participate in all meetings of the Society, vote for and serve as the Resident Member on Council.

PHPC was established as the National Specialty Society for Community Medicine (NSSCM) in 1998 and promotes the inclusion of a population and public health perspective in the development and implementation of health policy. Its objectives include:

• Supporting public health physicians in their practice through networking, knowledge exchange and continuing professional development.
• Promoting the educational and scientific advancement of public health medical practice, through liaison with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and other education, research and training organizations.
• Promoting the role of Public Health and Preventive Medicine specialists and other public health physicians in the Canadian health system.
• Providing liaison and communication functions with national government and non-government organizations, including the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Public Health Association, Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors, Community Health Nurses of Canada and the Canadian Society for Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
• Influencing elected representatives or government officials with respect to public policy, legislation or other decisions of the government through advocacy on public health issues.

PHPC is managed and administered by a Council of at least six persons comprising the Officers of the Society (President, President-Elect or Past-President, Secretary and a Treasurer or a Secretary-Treasurer), a Resident Member elected by the Resident Members of the Society, and at least two but no more than four other members from active membership, called Councillors. The Council operates with several committees (as appointed by the President on the advice of the Council). The Chairs of these committees may be invited to report to Council but shall not have the right to vote at meetings of Council. PHPC also has several committees developed to report on partnerships or affiliations with other organizations and task forces.

At present, all PHPC funds are generated through membership fees and the job placement service they provide across Canada.