What is a ‘physician organization’?
A physician organization is defined by the Royal College as a not-for-profit group of health professionals with a formal governance structure, accountable to and serving, among others, its specialist physician members through
- continuing professional development,
- provision of health care, and/or
- research
Examples of physician organizations:
- faculties of medicine
- hospital departments or divisions
- medical societies
- medical associations
- medical academies
- physician research organizations
- health authorities not linked to government agencies
- Canadian provincial/territorial medical regulatory authorities (MRAs)
This definition excludes pharmaceutical companies and their advisory groups, medical and surgical supply companies, medical device companies, communication companies and other for-profit organizations and ventures/activities.
Examples of other groups that are not considered physician organizations:
- disease-oriented patient advocacy organizations (e.g. Canadian Diabetes Association)
- government departments or agencies (e.g. Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada)
- medical education or communications (MEC) companies (e.g. CME Inc.)
- for-profit online educators, publishing companies or simulation companies (e.g. Medscape, CAE)
- small groups of physicians working together to develop educational programming
- Conferences and workshops
- Rounds, journal clubs and small groups
- Self-assessment programs
- Simulation activities
- List of accredited CPD activities
- Accredited CPD provider tools and resources
- CPD activity toolkit
CPD Accreditation Coordinator
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
774 Echo Drive
Ottawa ON K1S 5N8
Telephone: 613-730-2587; toll-free 1-800-668-3740, ext. 587
Email: cpd-accreditation@royalcollege.ca