Royal College Competence by Design: The Future of Canadian Postgraduate Medical Education White Paper Series re-released as an eBook

From 2010 to 2012, the Royal College worked with the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC), the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Collège des médecins du Québec and other partners to describe a way forward on the Future of Medical Education in Canada — Postgraduate Phase (FMEC-PG). The result was a series of 10 white papers intended to help evolve, inform and communicate the Royal College’s vision for the future of residency education in Canada.

These papers underpin a multi-year, transformative change initiative in the system of specialty medical education. Two years after launching the white papers, the papers have been updated and refreshed for their new role as the foundation of the Royal College’s strategic program. These papers have been re-released as an eBook.

Competence by Design contains the following chapters:

• Addressing Societal Health Needs
  What is the medical profession's responsibility to address and be accountable to societal health needs? This paper discusses qualitative and quantitative approaches for responding to societal needs and expectations.
• Generalism: Achieving a Balance With Specialization
  Do all Royal College disciplines incorporate elements of generalism? The authors 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)? This paper examines 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 challenges to current 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 do the culture of medicine and the hidden curriculum affect patient safety education? This paper discusses the integration of patient safety into the continuum of 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 CBME models and directions for the future.
• Assessment
  Should the Royal College dispense with summative examinations? Read what Fellow, including the Chair of the Royal College's Evaluation Committee, think the future of assessment looks like.
• 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 sooner to allow for a “junior” attending phase before independent practice? Continuing Medical Education Vice Deans and Fellows weigh in on how to improve the transition between residency training and practice.

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Read Competence by Design: Reshaping Canadian Medical Education
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