CanMEDs launches new framework

The fall of 2015 marked the national launch of the new CanMEDS 2015 framework, with updated competencies and milestones for residency training programs across Canada. Many University of Toronto faculty members made significant contributions to the development of, and revisions to, the updated framework, including Vice Dean, Post MD Education, Dr. Salvatore Spadafora, and Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education, Dr. Glen Bandiera, as advisory members; PGME Directors, Dr. Susan Edwards and Dr. Susan Glover Takahashi, as core members of the Professional (Physician Health) and Collaborator working groups respectively; and Dr. Dawn Martin as a core member of both the Communicator and Collaborator Working groups. Development of the milestones and revisions to the framework was a process that took several years and culminated with the launch of CanMEDS 2015.

Following the national launch, the PGME office has worked to support our programs in the implementation of the new framework. A key piece of our strategy was supporting the use of the new CanMEDS Tools Guide. By facilitating workshops for Program Directors and Program Administrators we have helped programs to use the tools guide to understand the CanMEDS 2015 roles and to build program specific tools for their CanMEDS 2015 assessments.

Through internal reviews, our ITER guidelines and review process, and the development of customized educational plans, we have been able to provide one-on-one consultations and supports to specific programs that are working on integrating CanMEDS 2015 as they embark on curriculum renewal and innovation.

Tools and resources for CanMEDS 2015 implementation are also available to all our programs through our PGMExchange repository of learning objects available to all UofT, PGME faculty, and new resources are being added as they are developed by our programs.

The Office of Resident Wellness (ORW) has aligned their workshop curriculum to reflect the CanMeds 2015 emphasis on the link between physician wellness, physician performance, and quality patient care. In 2015-16, the ORW developed and delivered 57 workshops to 27 programs to help support the achievement of the physician health competencies. Similar curricula were delivered to faculty groups in support of the development of their own wellness skills, as well as enhancing their ability to model and teach these skills to trainees and promote a supportive learning culture. The creation of the PGMEAC Wellness Subcommittee, with representation from programs with wellness representatives provides another opportunity to share educational tools.