Competence by Design: Royal College White Paper Series

The Royal College is working alongside the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC), the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Collège des médecins du Québec and other coalition partners to describe a way forward for the future of medical education in Canada (FMEC).

To this end, we have produced a series of 10 draft white papers that will not only inform the broader coalition initiative, but also help evolve and communicate the Royal College’s vision for the future of PGME in Canada (Click here for a summary). In addition, the Office of Education is continuing working on two additional papers: one on the structure of postgraduate medical education and the second on clinician scientists. To view copies of the completed white papers, please click on the following links:

• Addressing Societal Health Needs
  What is the medical profession’s responsibility to address and be accountable to societal health needs? This paper discusses two approaches (qualitative and quantitative) for responding to societal needs and expectations…
• Generalism: Achieving a Balance With Specialization
  Do all Royal College disciplines incorporate elements of generalism? The authors of this paper make the case for generalism across the spectrum of disciplines…
• Diversified Learning Contexts
  Should all trainees be exposed to learning outside of the Clinical Teaching Unit (CTU)? Two Royal College Fellows examine the advantages and challenges of training residents outside the academic health science centre…
• The Resident’s Dual Role as Learner and Service Provider
  Is there an optimal balance between service and education? Find out what residents and Royal College Fellows had to say about striking this balance in light of changing resident duty hours…
• Professionalism
  What does medical professionalism look like in the 21st century? This paper delves into the traditional concepts of professionalism as well as new challenges and opportunities that come with technology and social media…
• Just Culture of Patient Safety
  How does the culture of medicine and the hidden curriculum impact patient safety education? This paper offers concrete recommendations for integrating patient safety into medical education from medical school to residency and beyond…
• Competency-based Medical Education (CBME)
  Does CBME mean the end of time-based training? Royal College Clinician Educators and Fellows discuss hybrid models of CBME and directions for the future…
• Assessment
  Should the Royal College get rid of summative examinations? Read what the Chair of the Royal College’s Evaluation Committee and Fellows think assessment will look like as we move into the 21st century…
• Faculty Development Re-Imagined
  Can all physicians in practice be considered faculty? This paper explores the expanding role of the clinical teacher in postgraduate medical education…
• The Continuum of Medical Education
  What if residency ended six months earlier to allow for a ‘junior’ attending phase before entering independent practice? Two Continuing Medical Education Vice Deans and Fellows weigh in on how to improve the transition between residency training and practice…

Have your say in the future of residency education at the Royal College

The papers above were produced in order to represent the views of the Royal College and its membership in the FMEC- Postgraduate project. These first drafts will continue to be revised based on feedback from our members. If you are interested in providing your input on these papers, please email us your comments at educationpolicy@royalcollege.ca or join the discussion on the Competence by Design blog.

New Blog

The Office of Education has launched a blog on the white paper series. This exciting forum allows lead authors of the white papers to discuss the innovative recommendations with Royal College Fellows and other experts.

Please direct any questions or comments to educationpolicy@royalcollege.ca.