Driving System Change
Accreditation
Accreditation
RDoC plays a critical role in ensuring a national standard for resident engagement in the accreditation of their programs and institutions.
Accreditation is a peer-reviewed process of continuous quality improvement, based on national standards common to all post-graduate medical education (PGME) institutions and training programs in Canada.
The ultimate goal of accreditation is to improve the quality of residency education to ensure that resident doctors have the necessary resources and support to meet the training requirements of their specialty, subspecialty, or area of focused competence.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (the Royal College), the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) maintain the national standards for the accreditation of PGME institutions and PGME training programs in Canada. The three Colleges partner as the Canadian Residency Consortium (CanRAC), with a conjoint system of residency accreditation.
CanRAC’s standards for the accreditation of PGME institutions and residency programs align with competency-based medical education and leading best practices in accreditation. The strength of Canada’s approach to residency accreditation is reflected in a focus on outcomes and continuous quality improvement.
RDoC’s Role
For over 50 years, Resident Doctors of Canada has been at the forefront of resident engagement in accreditation in Canada.
RDoC works with CanRAC to improve the accreditation standards and to optimize resident engagement at onsite accreditation reviews ensuring their voices are heard and that residents contribute meaningfully to continuous quality improvement of their institutions and programs.
In addition to RDoC’s longtime support for residents in full accreditation reviews, at the request of resident doctors and institutions, RDoC now also provides support to residents whose programs are undergoing External Reviews, including those on Notice of Intent to Withdraw Accreditation. RDoC’s for-resident-by-resident approach gives residents the confidence they need to fully engage in these events.
RDoC is committed to supporting the development of a robust accreditation system. Our work in this area includes:
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Accreditation is an opportunity to evaluate and help improve the quality of residency programs. The feedback residents provide helps programs continue to promote areas of strength and at the same time, focuses on areas that need improvement. Residents are a central part of the accreditation process and via RDoC, residents will continue to be represented and have a voice on the Colleges’ national accreditation committees.
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Accreditation is a key strategic area for RDoC as we aim to disrupt status quo thinking and drive system change. RDoC actively participates in improving the accreditation standards for institutions and programs through the CanRAC process.
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RDoC facilitates the appointment of resident surveyors on Royal College and CFPC accreditation survey teams. The team ensures that standards for residency education are being maintained in all programs. Interested in volunteering as a resident surveyor? Complete RDoC’s expression of interest form.
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RDoC supports the transfer of knowledge about accreditation, and the accreditation process, to resident surveyors. Twice a year, experienced resident surveyors offer training to new surveyors, including those who are supporting internal reviews. This standard-setting training helps surveyors understand the strategic importance of accreditation, their role in protecting resident confidentiality and how to best engage residents during the interview portion of an accreditation review. RDoC also offers training to interested internal review surveyors. If you are resident doctor interested in volunteering as a accreditation surveyor please complete this Expression of Interest Form.
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The pre-accreditation questionnaire is an invaluable tool that gathers the resident on-the-ground perspective on their training prior to a full accreditation review. The questionnaire results are kept confidential. Responses are anonymous and are shared only with resident surveyors on the Royal College and CFPC survey teams to guide their line of questioning during an accreditation review. In this way, residents can be assured that their perspectives are fully and safely reflected in every review.
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RDoC offers resident-led pre-accreditation workshops for residents about to experience regular reviews and external accreditation reviews. These workshops provide residents with everything they need to know about what to expect and how to meaningfully participate.
Empowering residents through accreditation
RDoC’s workshop gave me hope that things will get better through my involvement in the accreditation process.”
Resident workshop participant
I feel I have a better understanding of what is expected of me at our upcoming review.”
Resident workshop participant
It was good to find out that accreditation can actually result in improvements in my program.”
Resident workshop participant
In my accreditation experience, the program made significant improvements which were greatly appreciated by the residents. It’s very rewarding to participate in this process and see the progress you contribute to.”
Dr. Victor Do
Accreditation Volunteer