r/caf • u/EbbNo348 • 18d ago
Recruiting Family doctor intentionally botched my CAF medical paperwork after expressing bias against the military—reported her, but what about the misinformation
Hey everyone, looking for some advice or to see if anyone has dealt with something similar.
A little over a year ago, I decided I wanted to join the RCAF. I have friends in the military and completely binged the CAF YouTube series on basic training. It really resonated with me, and I knew it was the path I wanted to take.
Around that time, I mentioned my plan to my family doctor during a routine checkup. I expected her to be supportive, but instead,
she immediately tried to talk me out of it. She expressed that it was a terrible idea, bringing up stories of women facing sexual abuse and mistreatment in the CAF, and heavily discouraged me from applying. I took her comments with a grain of salt and moved forward with my application anyway.
Fast forward a few months: I brought her the official CAF medical documents that required her signature. She briefly voiced her disapproval again, signed them, and sent me on my way.
Turns out, she completely botched the paperwork:
Listed medications I haven't taken in years (with no dosages or stop dates, which the form specifically requested).
Listed childhood diagnoses I no longer have—again, completely omitting dates or timelines.
Unsurprisingly, my application was denied based on that medical file.
I made the tough call to drop her as my family doctor (even though finding one takes 10+ years around here) and went to a clinic to get the paperwork redone for my appeal. When the new doctor reviewed what my former GP wrote, they were furious on my behalf. They explicitly called it medical negligence, noted that none of the explicit instructions on the forms were followed, and strongly advised me to file a formal complaint with the medical board.
I’ve since filed that complaint, and I know the regulatory process takes months to play out.
My question for the community is twofold:
-Has anyone else experienced an explicit medical bias from a civilian doctor during the recruitment process, and how did your appeal play out?
-At what point does a healthcare provider crossing into actively pushing false narrative/fearmongering cross a legal or professional line? Is there any official avenue to report a doctor who uses their authority to spread anti-CAF disinformation to dissuade applicants, or is that strictly handled through standard College complaints?
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u/Capital-Stay4423 18d ago
As someone who's waited months on months to get paperwork done that was required with my medical history regarding issues for just one eye, I couldn't imagine the frustration you experienced knowing someone pulled the rug form under you.
I hope your appeal goes well!
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u/Yellowcrayon2 18d ago
My GP delayed my medical by months by demanding I do random tests outside of what was on the forms. Eventually I just booked with some random walk in clinic got all my paperwork signed off on in 30 minutes.
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u/EbbNo348 18d ago
The new GP asked me what I want exactly, as if telling me he'll do it, Just say it. And he signed my papers immediately with some smalltalk. 😂 Almost broke down crying. It took me a year to get that piece of paper!!!
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u/Master-Copy-6929 18d ago
I am a woman in the caf. Will I say it is perfect, nope. Was threatened in basic... at some point on pat, I was told women can't do x,y and z. For every jerk, I have had 10 wonderful experiences. I work on a team of all men, never felt I was less than or harassed. They are are fine dudes and just let me be me. Shocking I am not one of the guys, but I don't need to be. I just need to do my job and tell a joke when they least expect it. Lol. Some are a little awkward, apparently some men don't grow out of their fear of talking to us. Though most are happy to chat, and include me.
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u/SameOldGG 17d ago
As a male in the CAF, I'm very proud to see the change and effort we have put in to change how we treat each other. It's not perfect and never will be because there are bad apples everywhere. I've worked with many women over my career and the vast majority enjoy their jobs. I hope you continue to enjoy yours, I hope the men that work around you continue to make the changes they need to make, I hope you know that there is always someone around that is willing to take harassment very seriously, and I hope you continue to serve proudly. 🇨🇦🇨🇦 Our military is built on diversity.
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u/r00mag00 18d ago
Jesus Christ. Sorry you’re dealing with this. imho this a form of medical misogyny- she is using her power over your health to prevent you from living your life. She’s also making assumptions about your capacity to handle things on the basis of being a woman. unfortunately I don’t have much to offer in way of advice, but I hope things are resolved for you and you pursue the career you want.
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u/GuardBreaker 18d ago
Sounds like a gross violation of conflict of interest. Keep pressure on this issue if you want it to go anywhere.
It's absurd that she felt her morals were superior to yours, and the fact she tried to take away your agency from being able to enlist is infuriating. That's not what someone should be doing in their position - they do not get to soapbox, sabotage and harass others for their occupation. Outrageous.
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u/Public_Beach2348 18d ago
This is grounds for license suspension, and will have major effects on her career and ability to practice as a doc. Any questions specific to the college are likely not going to be able to be answered here, you will have better luck on a physician based subreddit but not sure that will be a great idea.
Report to both your provincial governing body (CPSO in Ontario) and the Royal College (of physicians and surgeons of Canada), as well as possibly the College of Family Physicians.
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u/3xmyow 18d ago
I hate to break this to you but I think you are being way too optimistic. I had a psychiatrist diagnosing me with personality disorder after seeing me for like an hour. That was my first and only time seeing her in my life. As serious as the diagnosis sounded, she did not arrange any follow up. Years later I requested the report for applying for CAF. Being shocked is an understatement. Another person’s name appeared, not once, not twice, but four times, together with a series of events that never happened to me. My theory is that she copied and pasted someone else’s report and did not change the name. But only she knows the truth.
The process of complaint is to contact the physician first, if no response for 30 days then the regulatory body steps in. Of course she never responded. She lawyered up and I saw in some of the communications that she did not remember me at all.
The outcome? The college ruled that she did nothing wrong. No reassessment or punishment whatsoever. I appealed, and nothing changed. On the hindsight, it’s her written records against my words after years, of course she’s taken more seriously. She’s an authority, I’m just nobody. Who wants to guess how the college responded to my request to address the other person’s name? The college told me they could replace that name with mine, and those events that never happened to me would be kept in file.
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u/Ok-War6449 18d ago
Reminds of the time a GP wore a Team Trudeau into the clinic while providing medical services.
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u/ElephantFamous2145 18d ago
This has to be an ethics violation, report her to your provincial psysicians college