Sask. radiologist fails competency test
Last Updated: Friday, November 6, 2009 | 2:34 PM ET
CBC News
Dr. Darius Tsatsi, seen at a July 2009 news conference, is at the centre of a review of thousands of medical diagnostic tests. (Sheryl Rennie/CBC) The Yorkton, Sask., doctor at the centre of a review of thousands of medical tests does not have the skills or knowledge to practise radiology, the College of Physicians and Surgeons announced Friday.
Dr. Darius Tsatsi's work interpreting X-rays, mammograms, and other diagnostic images came into question in May. The provincial Ministry of Health and several regional health authorities have been reviewing every case he provided an opinion on.
Some 70,000 images are connected to the massive review, which is not yet complete.
'Dr. Tsatsi lacked skill and knowledge to practise as a radiologist.'—Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons Associate Registrar Bryan Salte
On Friday, the regulating body that oversees Saskatchewan doctors released the findings of a competency committee that assessed Tsatsi.
"They gave him a written examination," Bryan Salte, the associate registrar and lawyer for the college, told CBC News. "They examined the interpretations he had made of a number of modalities: CT scannings, X-rays and so on.
"The ultimate conclusion of the competency committee was that Dr. Tsatsi lacked skill and knowledge to practise as a radiologist," Salte said. "They recommended that he spend a year of retraining in order to be able to return to the practise of radiology."
Salte said that the doctor did not contest the finding.
Tsatsi agreed in May to a voluntary suspension.
College to consider status
Tsatsi's future will be considered by the college on Nov. 20.
There are three options:
- Revoke his licence to practise medicine.
- Continue the suspension.
- Allow him to resume his practice, with conditions.
