Terms of Reference
International (Residency) Program Review and Accreditation Committee

Role

The International (Residency) Program Review and Accreditation Committee (IPR-AC) is a subcommittee that reports to the Accreditation Committee. The Accreditation Committee has delegated responsibility to the IPR-AC for the development and oversight of the international residency program accreditation process.

The committee is responsible for the development of international institution and residency program accreditation standards, and associated accreditation review processes. In addition, the IPR-AC will ensure that international residency programs accredited by the Royal College meet the requirements that ensure graduates of the programs are being trained to achieve a level of competence comparable to the graduates of Canadian residency programs.

Responsibility and Authority

The IPR-AC is responsible to the Accreditation Committee for the processes related to the accreditation of international residency programs and institutions. All standards will be equivalent to current accreditation standards for postgraduate medical education training in Canada. Criteria and policies will be aligned as much as possible with current accreditation policies and criteria applicable to Canadian programs.

The IPR-AC has the following responsibilities and authority:

Develops, maintains, and recommends to the Accreditation Committee the policies, standards, criteria, and categories of accreditation for recognition of international residency education institutions and programs;
Reviews the reports of evaluations of international institutions and programs through onsite surveys and other means; and
Determines the accreditation status to be granted to each international residency institution and program, consistent with Royal College standards, regulations, policies, and

Composition

The IPR-AC will have 12 voting members, including the chair and a vice-chair.

The chair is an ex-officio voting member of the Accreditation Committee. The chair or a designate is also an ex-officio voting member of the Residency Accreditation Committee (Res-AC) to ensure consistency between domestic and international accreditation of residency programs.

The specific composition of the IPR-AC is determined as appropriate and will include:

the chair or designate of the Residency Accreditation Committee to ensure consistency between domestic and international accreditation of residency programs;
a representative from the Board of Royal College Canada International;
Fellows of the Royal College; and others as deemed

Key Competencies and Characteristics

Generally, committee members should possess the following key competencies and characteristics:

Demonstrated knowledge of Royal College accreditation standards;
Experience in postgraduate medical education gained by participation in Royal College accreditation reviews or as demonstrated by experience as a Postgraduate Dean or Chair of a Specialty Committee;
Knowledge of policies and procedures relating to accreditation of postgraduate training programs;
An ability to integrate strategic thinking and risk management in the formulation of accreditation policies and standards; and
Ability to strategize on new directions and processes for international
The ability and willingness to meet the strategic directions of the Royal College and the willingness to participate effectively in committee meetings.

It is preferable that members also have the following experience: participation in at least one review of an international institution or program; and/or have been a member of the Royal College Residency Accreditation Committee.

Term of Office

The usual term of office of the chair is two years, renewable once (maximum of four years). The term of the vice-chair is one year, renewable three times (maximum of four years). The usual term of office for members is two years, renewable twice (maximum of six years). The terms of office take effect as stipulated so long as the member’s total years of service on the committee do not extend beyond 10 years.

All terms shall begin and end at the time of the Annual Meeting of the Members when vacancies need to be filled.

Meetings

The IPR-AC meetings will be conducted face to face and via teleconference, two to four times per year.

Quorum consists of a majority of the voting members of the committee (i.e., 50% plus one). The chair is counted as a voting member in constituting quorum. However as the presiding official of the committee, the chair does not move motions. Furthermore, the chair shall only vote when the vote is conducted by secret ballot. Every question shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast. In the event of a tie vote, the question shall be defeated. When a committee is called to make a decision outside of a meeting by e-ballot, the same rules apply.

Appointment to a Royal College committee carries significant responsibilities, and all committee members are expected to adhere to the Volunteer Code of Conduct. In addition, committee members are required to maintain absolute discretion and not divulge, re-produce, or release any confidential information except when authorized by the Royal College. Committee members may download a copy of committee materials for the sole purpose of participating in committee work. All downloaded materials must be deleted once the related committee work is completed. The Royal College retains copies of committee materials should committee members wish to access them at a later time for related work.

Committee work product

In the course of performing their committee duties, committee members may produce or contribute to materials, content or other work products. These work products and the related intellectual property will be owned by the Royal College. The Royal College is open to discussing other ownership arrangements for specific projects. Alternative arrangements must be confirmed in writing by the project contributors and the Royal College.

TOR record

Approved by:	CSE
Approval Date:	April 28, 2021
Approval path:	Accreditation Committee, CSE
Effective date:	April 28, 2021
Date of next review:	Spring 2022
Royal College Office:	OSE
Version status:	Approved

Terms of Reference International (Residency) Program Review and Accreditation Committee