Announcement: Postgraduate Medical Education accreditation results
In November 2019, 53 of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry’s residency and area-of-focused-competence (AFC) programs participated in an accreditation site visit.
The process takes place at all medical schools across Canada and is overseen by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). This was the first time in Canada that individual programs and the institution as a whole were reviewed using the updated accreditation standards.
Two of the School’s programs did not take part in the accreditation, as they were new, these were: Infectious Diseases and Solid Organ Transplant AFC.
During the past several months, the School has received preliminary reports regarding accreditation and has recently received the final, official documents from the RCPSC and the CFPC. All 53 Schulich Medicine postgraduate medical education programs that took part in the review and the institution as a whole are accredited.
During the visit, accreditors commended the School, the leadership within postgraduate medical education and the work of the Learner Equity & Wellness (LEW) Office.
More specifically, they recognized Dr. Chris Watling and his leadership skills, vision and educational credibility, as well as his communication skills openness and advocacy for postgraduate medical education. Courtney Newnham-Kanas, Manager of the Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Office and the entire team were commended for the skills they bring to the postgraduate mission. Surveyors noted that the team serves as a model for the rest of the institution and noted their commitment, engagement, flexibility, responsiveness and adaptability. Although not part of the postgraduate structure, the LEW Office and the support provided to residents was recognized as a highlight of the institution.
Programs requiring a review of standards not met will complete an Action Plan Outcome Report (APOR) or an external review conducted by the RCPSC in two years (by November 2022).
It is not uncommon for a School to have residency programs that are required to address accreditation standards. The School is committed to improvement, and working in partnership with our programs, and it has already started advancing plans to address identified areas for improvement in our postgraduate medical education programs.
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry considers accreditation an important aspect of continuous improvement. The School takes all reviews and accreditation processes seriously and welcomes the external lens on programs, as this ensures the programs will continue to deliver exemplary training to all learners.
In his message about accreditation to the School, Dr. Yoo thanked all the program directors and assistants, faculty, residents, and the PGME leadership and team for their tremendous efforts in preparing for the accreditation process.
He also recognized and thanked Drs. Lois Champion and Chris Watling, the staff teams in the London and Windsor PGME Offices, all Program Directors and Program Assistants, the Medical Affairs Office, and PARO – for their support throughout the entire accreditation process.
You can learn more about PGME accreditation online.
You can learn more about the accreditation process on the Excellence in Residency Accreditation website.
