“Extraordinary” Canadian physician wins national award for contributing to global health
Congratulations to Dr. Joanne Liu, FRCPC, winner of the 2013 Royal College Teasdale-Corti Humanitarian award! Dr. Liu is a Montreal-based emergency pediatrics physician who has had an extraordinary career with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). She has worked in such countries as Haiti, Sudan, Congo, has acted as president of MSF Canada and is currently a board member with MSF Geneva. Learn more about her amazing contributions to global health.
What are the risks and rewards of caring for patients in the world’s worst conflict zones?
National Physician Survey results for medical students and residents now available!
The 2012 National Physician Survey (NPS) results for medical students and residents have been released. The survey was available electronically to all medical students and residents in Canada – over 3,700 responses were submitted. The survey collected information on experiences in medical education, types of training received, sources of stress and plans for future practice including scope and location.
Regional Awards nominations deadline is March 1, 2013
The Regional Awards nominations deadline is fast approaching (March 1, 2013, 5:00 pm EDT). Consider submitting nominations for the Mentor of the Year or Prix d’excellence/Specialist of the Year. Don’t miss your opportunity to acknowledge and highlight the tremendous achievements of your worthy colleagues, friends and peers.
Announcing the 2013 winners of the Royal College’s national awards! Dear Colleagues,
Every year, the Royal College allocates $1 million through its National and Regional Awards and Grants Program to honour the exceptional accomplishments of Fellows as well as encourage excellence in specialty medicine. We regard our awards and grants as one way to recognize the core qualities that distinguish a Fellow of the Royal College.
In this month’s message, we announce a few of our winners for 2013 and discuss the ways in which they inspire and motivate all of us to reach beyond the norms of medical practice.
Share your ideas and views on our awards and grants program
We are embarking on a comprehensive review of the Awards and Grants program to ensure it reflects the mission and strategic priorities of the Royal College and meets the needs of Fellows.
We invite you to use the comment functionality to share your views, including any recommendations you may have for future directions of the program. Click here to learn more about our award and grant winners for 2013!
Sincerely,
Andrew Padmos, BA, MD, FRCPC, FACP Chief Executive Officer
Canada’s leading physicians and surgeons recognized in 2013 awards Click here to read »
New Cervical Cancer Screening recommendations released The Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care recently released recommendations for the screening of cervical cancer. More details can be found on the task force’s website (www.canadiantaskforce.ca) and in the current issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal .
December 2012
Season’s Greetings: Watch our holiday video message!
Dear colleagues,
One of the real joys of the holiday season is the opportunity to wish you the very best of health and happiness for the New Year.
On behalf of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, we send you our warm greetings and best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a very happy 2013!
Louis Hugo Francescutti
MD, PhD, MPH, FRCPC, FACPM, CCFP, FACP (Hon), ICD-D President
Andrew Padmos
BA, MD, FRCPC, FACP Chief Executive Officer
An overwhelming response to the 2012 MOC Program Evaluation!
The 2012 MOC Program Evaluation saw an incredible response rate with more than 5,000 MOC Program Participants graciously giving of their time to provide feedback and recommendations for the newly re-designed MOC Program. We exceeded our expectations and want to take this time to thank each and every respondent who so thoughtfully completed the survey.
Report and Recommendations. The Centre for Learning in Practice research team will begin to systematically analyze the data and prepare a draft report and recommendations for presentation to the MOC Program Evaluation Steering Committee in early Spring. The report will be available to you shortly thereafter. Requests for a copy can be made at clip@royalcollege.ca.
What to Expect Next? Findings from the survey will guide Phase II of the Program Evaluation which is set to begin in March 2013. This Phase will draw upon qualitative research methods to critically evaluate if, and how, participation in the MOC Program, along with accredited / non-accredited CPD activities, is both effective and relevant to the practice needs of our users. We will also explore whether or not the program is aligned with the newly announced strategic priorities. Thank you to the hundreds who have already expressed interest in participating in future focus groups. If you too are interested, please contact clip@royalcollege.ca to participate.
Your views and recommendations will guide future MOC Program considerations and enhancements. Once again, thank you for making the 2012 MOC Program Evaluation Survey an overwhelming success! Winners of the iPads will be announced in January!
Should you have any questions regarding any content herein, please contact the Centre for Learning in Practice (CLIP) at clip@royalcollege.ca.
Craig Campbell MD FRCPC Executive Director, Office of Professional Affairs | Directeur exécutif, Bureau des affaires professionnelles
Tanya Horsley, PhD Assistant Director, Centre for Learning in Practice | Directrice adjointe, Centre d'apprentissage en pratique
Royal College Exam Fees eligible for Tuition Tax Credit
Fees paid to the Royal College for examinations can be claimed as a non-refundable tuition tax credit, retroactive to 2011. Credential application fees paid for assessments to determine eligibility to write the Royal College examinations are also included in the tax credit.
Prior to 2011, the only examination fees eligible for a tuition tax credit were those paid to an educational institution, provided the exam fees were included as part of the tuition.
The new rules, which came into effect with the 2012 federal budget, allow a tax credit to be claimed for fees "paid to take an occupational, trade or professional examination that is required to obtain a professional status recognized by federal or provincial statute, or to be licensed or certified as a tradesperson, to allow the person to practice a profession or trade in Canada."
Tax receipts are issued for the year the examination is written regardless of when the fee was actually paid. The Royal College has already mailed out receipts for the 2011 tax year in April, 2012 and expects to issue receipts for 2012 examinations in early 2013.
Canada's first SimWars competition comes to Ottawa
Doctors, nurses and others will do battle this weekend in SimWars™, an interactive learning competition that has been popularized at various international meetings and is making its Canadian debut at the 2012 Simulation Summit.
Colonel Rakesh Jetly represents the Royal College on Remembrance Day
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognized and celebrated the service of all military men and women, including Fellows who have served in military conflicts, during the 2012 National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa, Ont.
Colonel Rakesh Jetly, OMM, CD, MD, FRCPC, laid a ceremonial wreath at the National War Memorial during Canada’s largest remembrance event. Colonel Jetly, who started as a General Duty Medical Officer in 1989, is now a Canadian Forces psychiatrist. He was a part of the Canadian Humanitarian mission to Rwanda in 1994, has been deployed twice to Kandahar twice, and continues to contribute to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder research.
The Royal College honours a long legacy of service in military conflicts, including World Wars I and II, Korea and Afghanistan. The organization is deeply proud of its many members who have or are currently sacrificing their time, energy and personal safety for their country. We are all indebted to the service of these men and women.
Psychiatry, Anesthesiology among the top specialties providing feedback this week!
Five specialties are leading the way in completing the 2012 Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program Evaluation Survey in its first week.
In the first week following the launch of the survey (it opened October 23, 2012), more than 3,100 Fellows and other MOC Program participants logged on to share their views about the new MOC Program framework, credit system and revised MAINPORT system. Leading the way were Psychiatry, Anesthesiology, Pediatrics, Diagnostic Radiology and General Surgery.
We invite you to voice your opinions by completing the 2012 MOC Program Evaluation Survey*. Your feedback will contribute to further enhancements that will benefit you and your colleagues in the future. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a draw to win a free iPad.
*If clicking on the link does not work, copy and paste the following URL into your browser: https://survey.royalcollege.ca/opinio/s?s=2012MOC
New MOC Program tools, a chance to win an iPad, plus share your views on assessment
In November you’ll receive the first of several reminders to visit MAINPORT and submit your MOC Program credits in advance of the January 31 submission deadline. The opportunities to reflect, record and plan our continuing professional development illustrate how the members of the Royal College are committed to lifelong learning.
Royal College speaks out about unemployed specialist doctors in Canada
Some of Canada’s most highly trained physicians and surgical specialists are unemployed after finishing long and gruelling medical education and training programs. In light of ongoing difficulties in finding jobs appropriate to their skills and training, and misunderstandings about this phenomenon, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada is leading a national study examining the complex causes underlying this situation and identifying solutions. To date, the findings give cause for concern while clarifying a number of misunderstandings.
Announcing MOC program survey: Your opinion drives change
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons is pleased to announce the launch of Phase I of a two Phase evaluation of the revised Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program. This survey will help us better understand the effectiveness, relevance and ease with which MOC participants use the new system, and will assist with planning for future improvements.
Complete the 2012 MOC Program Evaluation Survey, starting October 23, 2012, and tell us how we can further improve and refine the MOC Program to benefit you and your colleagues in the future.
Incentive! In recognition of the Royal College’s establishment in 1929, the first 83 individuals to complete the survey will also receive a special Royal College tie or scarf.
ICRE 2012 a success!
Thank you to the more than 1,400 registrations who joined us in Ottawa.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons is pleased to announce Fundamental Innovations in Residency Education (FIRE), which will help bring innovation to residency education. We invite you to be among the first educators to pilot a new idea or curriculum advancement in your existing program.
FIRE is designed to encourage and facilitate innovative pilot proposals that test the limits of residency education, using robust criteria to assess applications for changes to a single program, across programs within a single existing discipline, or among a number of existing disciplines.
To be named as part of FIRE’s inaugural pilot projects, we invite you to apply by January 1, 2013. For information or an application package email us at educationpolicy@royalcollege.ca.
September 2012
Message from the CEO
New information technologies are no longer created with the needs of large organizations foremost in mind. Instead, these emerging technologies—such as tablets, touch screens and smart phones—are increasingly designed for people like you and me.
We invite you to learn more about the reliable applications the Royal College is building for Fellows and the 2013 launch of a Fellow-driven innovation and technology task force.
This issue also provides an opportunity for you to comment on this message and share your views with other Fellows.
MAINPORT has gone mobile! A new iPhone and iPad app is now available at the App Store. This free app allows you to enter your CPD activities at any time — at a conference, during Grand Rounds, or between meetings and appointments.
With half of the calendar year already behind us, I’d like to report on the solid progress the Royal College has made on a number of fronts connected to our ambitious strategic plan. Called The Goal that Matters Most (the Goal, as always, being better health for Canadians), our strategic plan was the result of many months of discussion among Fellows and at Council about how the Royal College can best move forward as a health system leader.
In April’s CEO message, I invited Fellows’ feedback to help guide the National Steering Committee (NSC) on Resident Duty Hours in its efforts to produce pan-Canadian standards around resident duty hours. The NSC is funded by Health Canada and led by the Royal College and eight partner organizations from across postgraduate medical education.
Not surprisingly, Fellows’ views on changing resident duty hours varied greatly, with strong perspectives on both sides. However, several major themes emerged
Health professionals opposed to cuts to health care for asylum seekers and refugees are holding an unprecedented cross-Canada Day of Action in over 13 Canadian cities in hopes of convincing the Harper government to roll back these cuts, scheduled to take effect on June 30, 2012.
May 2012
Trailblazer Award winners announced
Canada Health Infoway recently announced its Trailblazer Award winners, which recognize innovation and practical e-solutions in four challenge categories: e-Scheduling, Patient Access to Health Information, Medication Reconciliation and Clinical Synoptic Reporting.
Canada is respected around the world for the high quality of its specialty medical education. It is also one of only four countries with an educational certifying body that supports all medical specialties. With this unique positioning, it is not surprising that global organizations increasingly turn to the Royal College for leadership and guidance in postgraduate medical education (PGME) programs, processes and services.
To this end, we invite you to read an update on how the Royal College is expanding its international presence and capacity in 2012 through new strategies, activities and long-term partnerships, bolstered by an international academy of volunteers.
Building a national consensus on resident duty hours
A group of national health care organizations are joining forces to lead a national consensus-building process to create a single, pan-Canadian statement on resident duty hours in Canada. Funded by Health Canada, the groundbreaking project, Towards a Pan-Canadian Consensus on Resident Duty Hours, will produce recommendations that could have significant impacts across the entire Canadian health system. Learn more »
Brief on fixing the skills gap presented to the House of Commons, HUMA
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada brief presented to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) by Danielle Fréchette, MPA, Director, Office of Health Policy and External Relations
World Health Day on April 7 draws attention to healthy ageing
The world’s population is ageing. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has dedicated its birthday to healthy ageing and will draw attention to opportunities to age in good health and to build a society that respects and values older people.
Learn more about how "Good health adds life to years" on the WHO website.
NAHO's loss is a blow to Aboriginal health
In light of the pending closure of the NAHO, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada is calling on the Government of Canada to provide Canadians with an alternative body possessing a robust governance structure to continue the work of this critical research hub and resource.
As dialogue and debate continue nationally about resident duty hours, the Royal College and seven partner organizations are launching a groundbreaking new project aimed at producing pan-Canadian standards on this complex issue.
Canadian Medical Hall of Fame boosts interest in health sciences careers
Health-related careers received a huge boost of support from the TD Discovery Days in Health Sciences, an educational program organized by The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and sponsored by TD Bank Group that exposes Canadian youth to the wonders of work as health professionals, researchers and scientists.
This interactive day is especially pertinent in light of a shortage of health care professionals in this country, explains Janet Tufts, executive director of The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
The well-being of our patients depends on an uninterrupted supply of medicine. The drug shortage is a good example of Canada’s need for national coordination of health care. The Royal College has a professional responsibility to advocate for a health system that will maintain and improve the health and care of all Canadians. To this end, we invite you to read our detailed report that examines the issues, causes and possible solutions to Canada’s drug shortage.
The Royal College’s 2011 Annual Review is now online
Read the 2011 Annual Review
The 2011 Annual Review provides a clear summary of our work to better support you, our Fellows, to address patients’ needs and to improve the health system for the years ahead.
The report’s title — “Leadership in health and health care” — reflects our focus on leading initiatives that will impact your practice and the future of specialty medicine.
Congratulations Dr. Cooke! National medical education award winner
CanMEDS clinician educator and neurologist Lara Cooke, MD, FRCPC, has been awarded the 2011 Dr. Joseph Mikhael Award for Medical Educationfrom the Canadian Association of Internes and Residents (CAIR). A highly-motivated and encouraging instructor, Dr. Cooke is being recognized for her dedication to advancing undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in Canada, and in particular, her contributions to improvements in teaching.
In last week’s Council of the Federation meeting in Victoria, B.C., Canadian premiers announced the establishment of a Health Care Innovation Working Group to find common ground in the renewal of the health system — by July. As specialists, we have a pivotal role in the reform process and our voices must be heard. Canadians expect us to be part of the reform process.
Are you up to date with medical education literature?
The KeyLIME podcast presents important and innovative articles that will impact your approach to medical education. In clinical medicine, the number-needed-to-read (NNR) is 14. You would need to read 14 articles from the top clinical journals to find one methodologically sound, clinically important manuscript. KeyLIME does this work for you.
What is the KeyLIME podcast?
Every two weeks, for about ten minutes, Jason R. Frank, MD, MA(Ed), FRCPC, Linda Snell, MD, MHPE, FRCPC, FACP, and Jonathan Sherbino, MD, MEd, FRCPC present and discuss the key points of a medical education article. Each podcast is accompanied by a pdf abstract you can download and refer back to the key points discussed in the podcast.
On behalf of the National Physician Survey (NPS) partners we are pleased to share the survey results by specialty. This new data and information will be available as of December 2, 2011 on the NPS website (www.nationalphysiciansurvey.ca).
Name change from Pediatric General Surgery to Pediatric Surgery
In February 2011, the Specialty Committee in Pediatric General Surgery, supported by the Canadian Association of Paediatric Surgeons, requested a change in nomenclature for the discipline, from “Pediatric General Surgery” to “Pediatric Surgery” and for this change to be reflected in all Royal College educational documents related to the subspecialty.
The rationale provided to support this request was to:
clarify the scope and nature of the specialty, which is broader than the term general implies, as evidenced by the specialty specific documents, and in particular the Objectives of Training (OTR) document.
provide clarity for the public in terms of the scope of practice of these subspecialists.
allow the discipline to adapt to the current terminology used in the literature and by other international organizations.
The request stated that the discipline would not undergo any changes to its objectives or scope, in order to change its name.
An extensive consultation which took place during the summer and fall 2011 indicated that the majority of respondents were in agreement with the name change. In early December 2011, in accordance with the 2010 “Policy and Procedure for Discipline Name Changes”, Dr. Andrew Padmos, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal College, deemed the request approved.
This change is to take effect immediately. Please feel free to disseminate this information as you see fit. Please do not hesitate to contact our office at cos@royalcollege.ca should further information be required.
Message from the CEO
MOC Program activity submissions are due January 31, 2012
Why not get a head start and log in to the new MAINPORT today. The CEO invites you to explore the many improvements we’ve made to deliver a more streamlined experience for users. You’ll find a broader range of activities, more opportunities to earn credit, and many avenues of support available to you as you get to know this new tool.
Educational Design: A CanMEDS guide for the health professions
The CanMEDS and Faculty Development Team has created a systematic yet flexible framework for developing and redesigning curricula in their latest publication Educational Design: A CanMEDS guide for the health professions. Front line medical educators, regardless of title, are frequently required to produce curricula. The challenge they face is to efficiently produce a curriculum with little training or guidance in fundamental educational design. Educational Design serves as a how-to guide on creating education programs, whether a simple workshop to a full clinical rotation. This resource covers topics from needs assessment to program evaluation as well as faculty development and overcoming barriers to change.
In his latest message, the CEO discusses the Royal College’s new strategic plan that will serve as a guide towards our goal of better health for Canadians. Aptly titled, The Goal That Matters Most, it describes in broad terms how the Royal College will move forward as a health-system leader during an era of growing challenges in Canadian health care. The plan includes new mission and vision statements and a refined set of key result areas.
In his latest message, the CEO discusses the importance of scholarship as a value embraced by Fellows. He also invites you to explore the new online Centre for Learning In Practice (CLIP) micro-site. The site includes a comprehensive central resource for tutorials and materials focused on continuing professional development, research skills and grants, ethics, searchable databases and datasets and evidence-based medicine, to name just a few.
In his latest message, the CEO announces the new Royal College web portal that presents you with a secure sign-in area tailored to your professional needs. You will find information pertinent to your concerns, a link to MAINPORT on every page, and links to other valuable resources such as RACs and bioethics training.
Learn more about the Royal College’s new web portal.
Andrew Padmos, BA, MD, FRCPC, FACP Chief Executive Officer
Message from the CEO
Forging a pan-Canadian consensus on residents' duty hours
In his latest message, the CEO highlights the Royal College’s leadership in forging a pan-Canadian consensus on residents’ duty hours. This is an issue that will impact all Fellows – not just residents – as it could affect the number of hours you must devote to your practice, and ultimately patient care.
The 2012 MOC Program Evaluation saw an incredible response rate with more than 5,000 MOC Program Participants graciously giving of their time to provide feedback and recommendations for the newly re-designed MOC Program. We exceeded our expectations and want to take this time to thank each and every respondent who so thoughtfully completed the survey.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognized and celebrated the service of all military men and women, including Fellows who have served in military conflicts, during the 2012 National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa, Ont.