Simon R Turner1, Brett Mador2, Hollis Lai3, Jonathan White2, Michael Kim2. 1. Division of Thoracic Surgery, University of Alberta, 8440 112 St, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R7, Canada. Electronic address: sturner@ualberta.ca. 2. Division of General Surgery, University of Alberta, 8440 112 St, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R7, Canada. 3. Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 8440 112 St, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R7, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There has been a recent call for formal competency assessments of practicing physicians and surgeons to form a framework of competency based continuing professional development (CBCPD). METHODS: An email questionnaire was conducted regarding CBCPD. Responses were further used to inform development of semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: There were 58 questionnaire respondents (42%). There was moderate support for assessment of surgeons' technical skills (50.9%) or decision making (56.6%). Support was highest for a mechanism to flag surgeons in need of a focused competence assessment (83.0%). Eight surgeons participated in interviews. Interviews identified a range of benefits of CBCPD but also several challenges to implementation, including the need for fair, data-driven assessments, taking into account patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Through listening to surgeon concerns and recommendations for implementation strategies, this study's findings may support development of an effective CBCPD strategy with the potential to be embraced by surgeons and foster an environment of improved safety and performance.
BACKGROUND: There has been a recent call for formal competency assessments of practicing physicians and surgeons to form a framework of competency based continuing professional development (CBCPD). METHODS: An email questionnaire was conducted regarding CBCPD. Responses were further used to inform development of semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: There were 58 questionnaire respondents (42%). There was moderate support for assessment of surgeons' technical skills (50.9%) or decision making (56.6%). Support was highest for a mechanism to flag surgeons in need of a focused competence assessment (83.0%). Eight surgeons participated in interviews. Interviews identified a range of benefits of CBCPD but also several challenges to implementation, including the need for fair, data-driven assessments, taking into account patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Through listening to surgeon concerns and recommendations for implementation strategies, this study's findings may support development of an effective CBCPD strategy with the potential to be embraced by surgeons and foster an environment of improved safety and performance.
Keywords:
Competency assessment; Competency based medical education; Competency by design; Continuing medical education; Continuing professional development