CMPA supports expansion of CanMEDS to educate and train doctors

OTTAWA, Feb. 22, 2017 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) is pleased to support the newly revised CanMEDS framework, a common set of values and competencies that physicians learn to effectively provide healthcare and meet the needs of patients and communities.

In use across Canada for the past 25 years, CanMEDS has already significantly shaped and strengthened medical education in Canada and around the world. The CanMEDS education model has previously been used to train and evaluate physicians during their medical and surgical residencies. Now, competencies aimed at enhancing patient safety and the quality of clinical care are being expanded and used throughout a physician's entire education and career – from residency training and specialization to lifelong learning for physicians in clinical practice.

"CanMEDS is a proven and effective means of educating physicians and ensuring that they remain proficient throughout their medical careers," said Dr. Hartley Stern, Chief Executive Officer at the CMPA. "Expanding the use of the CanMEDS framework will lead to improved patient care and better health outcomes. We're proud to have been part of its development and we support this very worthwhile initiative."

The CanMEDS framework organizes the competencies that a physician should achieve into seven roles: Medical Expert, Communicator, Collaborator, Leader, Health Advocate, Scholar and Professional. The CMPA views the CanMEDS framework as supporting the organization's focus on continuing education and safe medical care. Each year, the CMPA publishes information to improve patient care and runs hundreds of education sessions for physicians across Canada. The sessions focus on helping doctors to improve their practice, reduce errors and achieve better patient outcomes.

"Education should be viewed as a lifelong pursuit by physicians," said Dr. Gordon Wallace, Managing Director of Safe Medical Care at the CMPA. "CanMEDS provides a consistent and coordinated approach to education that will benefit doctors and their patients. The principles of quality and safe care are explicitly embedded in the CanMEDS roles."

This expansion of CanMEDS is being led by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada. The CMPA is one of 13 healthcare organizations endorsing the adoption of the new CanMEDS framework, which uses a common set of competencies to not only educate doctors, but also to evaluate their progress.

"The Royal College is proud to unite with 12 national and provincial organizations under a pledge to embed a single training model — the CanMEDS framework — across our respective areas of work to educate Canada's doctors in training and in practice," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, Chief Executive Officer at the Royal College. "This collaboration in support of better patient care is unprecedented and represents a major step forward for the profession."

For additional information on the CanMEDS framework, please see: CanMEDS Interative

About the CMPA:
The Canadian Medical Protective Association provides advice, legal assistance, and an extensive risk management education program to more than 95,000 physicians. It is the principal provider of medical liability protection in Canada and is governed by an elected council of physicians. As an essential component of the healthcare system, the CMPA is firmly committed to protecting the professional integrity of physicians and promoting safe medical care.

SOURCE Canadian Medical Protective Association

For further information: Joel Baglole, Supervisor, Public Affairs, Canadian Medical Protective Association, T: 1-613-806-5313, [e-mail]

Related Links

http://www.cmpa.org/