Annual Report 2012-2013€¦ · BPPnl Best Practice Prescribing in Newfoundland & Labrador ......

2012-2013Annual Report

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PDCS Mission Statement

The mission of Professional Development and Conferencing Services (PDCS) is to provide innovative continuing professional development (CPD) to enhance and maintain competencies of health professionals, faculty, and students, and improve public health.

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Acronyms

ACCME Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education

ACEHP Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions

AFMC Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada

AFMC- Association of Faculties of Medicine of SCCPD Canada’s Standing Committee on

Continuing Professional Development

AMA American Medical Association

ARNNL Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland & Labrador

BPPnl Best Practice Prescribing in Newfoundland & Labrador

CACHE Canadian Association of Continuing Health Education

CACME Committee on Accreditation of Continuing Medical Education

CAME Canadian Association for Medical Education

CanMEDS Canadian Medical Education Directives for Specialists

CAPER Canadian Post-M.D. Education Registry

CAPM&R Canadian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

CCFP Certificate of the College of Family Physicians

CFPC College of Family Physicians of Canada

CIHR Canadian Institutes of Health Research

CMA Canadian Medical Association

CME Continuing Medical Education

CNS Centre for Nursing Studies

CPD Continuing Professional Development

CPSNL College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland & Labrador

CSAT Clinical Skills Assessment & Training

CTS Canadian Thoracic Society

DKA Diabetic Ketoacidosis

DOHCS Department of Health and Community Services

FASD Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

FC Faculty Council

FMRAC Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada

FoM Faculty of Medicine

HREA Health Research Ethics Authority

HSIMS Health Sciences Information and Media Services

ICT Information and Communication Technologies

IECPCP Interprofessional Education for Collaborative Patient-Centered Practice

IEHP Internationally Educated Health Professionals

IEN Internationally Educated Nurses

IMG International Medical Graduate

IPAC International Physician Assessment Coalition

IT Information Technology

LPN Licensed Practical Nurse

MCC Medical Council of Canada

MESCC Medical Education Scholarship Centre

MUN Memorial University of Newfoundland

NAC National Assessment Collaboration

NAC3 National Assessment Collaboration Central Coordinating Committee

NAPCRG North American Primary Care Research Group

NLCAHR Newfoundland & Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research

NLCHI Newfoundland & Labrador Centre for Health Information

NLMA Newfoundland & Labrador Medical Association

NRP Neonatal Resuscitation Program

OSCE Objective Structured Clinical Examination

PDCS Professional Development and Conferencing Services

PERTT Project for Enhanced Rural Remote Training

PGME Postgraduate Medical Education

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PHAC Public Health Agency of Canada

PMLP Physician Management and Leadership Program

PRA Practice Ready Assessment

RCPSC Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

RHA Regional Health Authority

SACME Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education

SAMP Short Answer Management Problem

SCCPD Standing Committee on Continuing Professional Development

SDL Self-Directed Learning

SMC Senior Management Committee

UGME Undergraduate Medical Education

W@N Wednesday@Noon

WHO World Health Organization

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Contents

Associate Dean & Director’s Message 1

Introduction 3

PDCS – About Us 4

Mission & Guiding Principles 4Mission 4Guiding Principles 4

Governance 5PDCS Academic Structure 6PDCS Management Structure 7Senior Management Team 8Program Managers 8

Our Services 10

Strategic Priorities & Progress 11

Strategic Priorities 11

Progress 13

Highlights of the Year 19

PDCS CACME Accreditation Status 2012 19

New Policy on Management of Accredited CME/CPD Activities and External Financial Support 19

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Online CPD Series 19

Physician Management and Leadership Program 20

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Helping Patients Manage Chronic Pain Live/Onsite CPD 20

Examination of the Effect of Low versus High-Fidelity Simulation on Neonatal Resuscitation Program Learning Outcomes Research Project 20

Clinical Skills Assessment and Training 20

Assessment and Retraining 21

Unified Communications Services Expanded and Improved 21

Technology Enhancements 21

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CPD Program Summary and Statistics 22

Live/Onsite and Blended Learning Programs 22Live/Onsite Programs 22Blended Learning Modality CPD Programs 23Statistics for Live/Onsite, Wednesday at Noon, and Physician Management & Leadership Programs 24

Online CPD Programs 25MDcme.ca 25CMA.ca 25MDcme.ca & CMA.ca Programs & Partners 25Statistics for MDcme.ca and CMA.ca Online CPD 26

RCPSC Maintenance of Certification Applications 28

Internationally Educated Nurses Modules 28

Clinical Skills Assessment and Training Program 29

Assessment and Retraining 30

Scholarly Programs 30Certificate in Medical Teaching 30Medical Teacher Scholarship Program 30Faculty Development 31

Research and Evaluation 33

Assessing the Perceived and Unperceived Needs of Physicians and Other Health Professionals 33

Evaluating the Effectiveness and Outcomes of PDCS Educational Interventions 34

Other Innovative Research Studies 34

Research Grants 35

Presentation and Publications 36Presentations 36Publications 37Technical Reports 37

Technology and Innovation at PDCS 38

Unified Communications Services 38

Application Development 39Mobile Apps 39Online Booking Application for Unified Communications Services 39CPD Database 39

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Our Contributions 40

Partnerships, Collaborations, & Affiliations 41

Where We Are Going in 2013-2014 44

Upcoming Programs and Activities for 2013-2014 44Live/Onsite CPD 44Online/Blended CPD 44Mini-Med School 45Research and Evaluation 45

Strategic Priorities for 2013-2014 46

PDCS Annual Report | 2012-2013

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Associate Dean & Director’s Message

Professional Development and Conferencing Services (PDCS) is instrumental in the continuum of lifelong learning for physicians and health professionals in the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador, nationally, and internationally. The strength of PDCS is built on its talented and diverse team of professionals with a legacy in continuing medical education (CME), telemedicine, and international education activities. PDCS has been contributing to the health of the people in this province since 1968 when the original “CME Office” opened its doors. The primary mission of PDCS is to provide innovative continuing professional devel-opment (CPD) to enhance and maintain competencies of health professionals, faculty, and students, and improve public health.

The 2012-2013 year has been an exciting time for PDCS as we were awarded a stellar external accreditation status for the next 5 years from the Committee on Accreditation of Continuing Medical Education (CACME) of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC). PDCS is recognized as an accredited provider of university CPD by CACME. CACME accreditation provides a transparent and accountable accreditation process to ensure PDCS exhibits the high standards of performance expected of academic institutions and contributes to the health needs of society.

We partner internally within the Faculty of Medicine (FoM) and externally with public, private, and not-for-profit sectors including government (provincial and national), other academic institutions, specialty soci-eties, and many more. Through these partnerships, we have developed many exceptional quality programs offered through a variety of delivery methods including live and distance formats utilizing in-house tech-nologies and expertise. PDCS is also dedicated to educational scholarly research in the area of CPD. We foster the training of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and work with those physicians who may require retraining in various areas.

Some highlights from the past year include the development and delivery of the very successful Physician Management and Leadership Program (PMLP). The program has been a unique collaboration between the Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) and its Faculties of Business (Gardiner Centre), and Medicine (PDCS), along with the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador (Department of Health and Community Services (DOHCS)), and the four (4) Regional Health Authorities (RHAs). We have offered a Certificate in Medical Teaching, and in collaboration with the Medical Education Scholarship Centre (MESC), offered the Medical Teacher Scholarship Program. The new Policy on Management of Accredited CME/CPD Activities and External Financial Support (approved February 2013), will allow PDCS to provide expert guidance and ensure consistency in following accreditation guidelines from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In addition, the policy will allow PDCS to provide guidance to medical school members regarding their interactions with external funders on all FoM endorsed CPD programs.

Moving forward we will foster public engagement through programs like the Mini-Med School. We will work with our dedicated faculty members to provide innovative CPD programs, while utilizing distance technologies to ensure accessibility for physicians and health professionals throughout this province and elsewhere. We will foster scholarship and research and further develop our outcomes measurement of


what we deliver. We will continue to enhance assessment and retraining with a focus on Practice Ready Assessments (PRAs) in conjunction with the Medical Council of Canada (MCC). We will develop physician leaders for the future through the PMLP and engage with our partners in the Province. Ultimately we will continue to serve the people of Newfoundland & Labrador and beyond.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to PDCS programs and initiatives and for your ongoing support. We wish you success in all of your personal and academic endeavors in the coming year.

Ford Bursey, MD, FACP, FRCPC Assistant Dean, PDCS Professor of Medicine Faculty of Medicine Memorial University of Newfoundland

Fran Kirby, MEd Director, PDCS Faculty of Medicine Memorial University of Newfoundland


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Introduction

PDCS is pleased to present this annual report covering the period April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013. The depart-ment has had a busy and prosperous year, details of which will be covered throughout this document. This is the first annual report to be published by PDCS and will be reflective of the progress made against our three year Strategic Business Plan (2012-2015). In addition an overview of services, summary of programs and research activities, technology innovations, and priorities for the coming year will also be covered. Finally, a list of acronyms has been included for quick reference when reading this document. The list is located at the beginning of this document (page ii).


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PDCS – About Us

PDCS is a recognized and respected service unit of Memorial University of Newfoundland’s (MUN) Faculty of Medicine (FoM). PDCS is a centralized provider of continuing professional development (CPD) program-ming and research in Newfoundland & Labrador focusing on the health professional audience. In addition PDCS is also a leader in online and distance technology enabled CPD within Canada and abroad.

PDCS is a university-accredited provider of CPD as designated by the Committee on Accreditation of Continuing Medical Education (CACME) of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC). Such designation allows PDCS to accredit College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) CPD programs by following accreditation guidelines set forth by the two colleges. PDCS also follows policies and standards set forth by other national stakeholders of health education, including: the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Guidelines for Interactions with Industry (2010); Canada’s Rx&D Code of Ethical Practices (2012) as set forth by Canada’s Research Based Pharmaceutical Companies; and The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada’s Standing Committee on Continuing Professional Development (AFMC-SCCPD) policy relating to the role of industry in the CPD arena within Canadian faculties of medicine and the ethical standards used to guide such relationships. Finally, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) of the United States of America maintains a reciprocity relationship with CACME which the American Medical Association (AMA) recognizes for the purpose of allowing Canadian medical schools the ability to certify activities for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and to award such credits to eligible physicians.

Mission & Guiding Principles

Mission

The mission of Professional Development and Conferencing Services (PDCS) is to provide innovative continuing professional development (CPD) to enhance and maintain competencies of health profes-sionals, faculty, and students, and improve public health.

Guiding Principles

As a leader in CPD and related research for health professionals, PDCS embraces the following guiding principles:

� medical leadership and advocacy in CPD � excellence, creativity, and innovation � adherence to ethical and regulatory standards � philosophy of lifelong learning � partnerships � social accountability � evaluation and continuous quality improvement � inter- and intra-professional practice � research, critical inquiry, and scholarship � knowledge translation


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Governance

PDCS has a defined structure within the FoM (see Figure 1: PDCS Organizational Chart). The PDCS organi-zational structure is two-fold with an academic and a management structure. The Assistant Dean, the five (5) Academic Directors, the Senior Management Team and Program Managers also serve on various coun-cils and committees of PDCS, the FoM, and external to MUN.

Figure 1: PDCS Organizational Chart (June, 2013)

PDCS Organizational Chart (As of June 1, 2013)

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Dean of Medicine Dr. James Rourke

Vice Dean of Medicine Dr. Sharon Peters

Assistant Dean PDCS

Dr. Ford Bursey

Director Academic Development

Family Physicians Dr. Pam Snow

Director Academic Development

Specialists Dr. George Fox

Director Academic Research &

Development Dr. Vernon Curran

Director Clinical Skills

Assessment & Training Dr. Carl Sparrow

Director Assessment & Retraining Dr. Elizabeth Bannister

Director PDCS Fran Kirby

Business Development & Marketing R. Haywood

Strategic Initiatives

Vacant

Director School of Pharmacy & Advisory CE & Steering

Committee for Pharmacists

Finance D. Adams

Operations C. Whitton

Development & Production

A. Charan A. Peddigrew

T. Perry D. Delong R. Perez

Admin Support S. Alexander

N. Greely K. Martin

B. Walsh (.5)

Conferencing & Tech Support F. Kavanagh M. Pearson M. Squires

B. Walsh (.5)

QA Proposed

Education Consulting B. Glynn

CPD Consulting C. Mesh

Technology Consulting

T. Pardy

Conferencing Consulting

P. Ward

Faculty Programs & Special Projects

Vacant

Research Consulting

L. Fleet

RA1 Karla Simmons

Executive Assistant D. Stuckless

Project/Program Support


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PDCS Academic Structure

Within the academic structure there are five (5) Academic Directors including Directors of Academic Devel-opment for Family Physicians, Academic Development for Specialists, Academic Research & Development, Clinical Skills Assessment & Training (CSAT), and Assessment & Retraining. The five (5) Academic Directors report directly to the Assistant Dean of Professional Development. Below is a brief biography of our Directors:

Dr. Ford Bursey, MD, FACP, FRCPC (Assistant Dean, PDCS, and Professor of Medicine, FoM, MUN) Dr. Bursey is a graduate of Memorial University, a Fellow in Internal Medicine and holds a Certificate of Special Compe-tence in Gastroenterology from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). He is also a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and currently serves as Governor for the Atlantic Provinces Chapter of the ACP. He has served on the Steering Committee that produced a report for the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) entitled “The Future of Medicine in Canada-Postgraduate Project” and is a member of the National Advisory Committee of the RCPSC that is reviewing the Canadian Medical Education Directives for Specialists (CanMEDS) roles for 2015. Dr. Bursey has served as a member of the Examination Board in Internal Medicine for the RCPSC. Additionally, he has fulfilled the role of member of the survey team of Postgraduate Training Programs for the RCPSC and of CME Programs for CACME. He is a member of the CPD Accreditation Committee of the RCPSC and is a CPD Educator for RAC5 of the RCPSC. In addition to serving two terms on the Education Committee of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, Dr. Bursey is the former Chair of the Education Committee for the Medical Advisory Committee of the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of Canada. He has also officiated as President of the Medical Staff of the St. John’s Health Care Corporation and The Atlantic Association of Gastroenterology. Dr. Bursey has served as Program Director for the Internal Medicine Training Program at Memorial; is currently a Board Member of the Health Care Foundation of Eastern Health; and is a staff physician in Internal Medicine & Gastroenterology of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, St. John’s, NL.

Dr. Elizabeth Bannister, MD (Director of Assessment and Retraining, PDCS). Dr. Bannister became involved with PDCS in 1997 when she became a member of the PD Regional Advisory Committee as the general prac-tice representative from St. John’s. Since that time, Dr. Bannister has participated in regional and national educational committees. She has been part of the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) since 2007 and was recently elected vice-chair of the National Assessment Central Coordinating Committee (NAC3) which oversees the activities and programs of NAC. Dr. Bannister is a graduate of MUN and has a full-time family practice in Conception Bay South, NL.

Dr. Vernon Curran, PhD (Director of Academic Research and Development, PDCS, and Professor of Medi-cine, FoM, MUN). Dr. Curran is past Co-Director of the Centre for Collaborative Health Professional Educa-tion at MUN and past Director of Academic Development, FoM, MUN. Dr. Curran holds a cross-appointment with the Faculty of Education at MUN and teaches in the undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Adult Education and Post-Secondary Studies. He also holds an adjunct appointment with the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ontario Institute of Technology. He is currently Chair of the Certificate in Medical Teaching Program offered through the FoM, MUN and was Co-Lead of an Interprofessional Educa-tion for Collaborative Patient-Centred Practice (IECPCP) project at MUN funded through Health Canada. Dr. Curran holds degrees in psychology, adult education, distributed learning and extension studies, and specializes in research in the areas of medical and health professional education, tele-education, continuing


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professional education, and interprofessional education in the health professions. He is author on over 65 articles published in peer-reviewed journals in the medical, health, and educational fields and has been prin-cipal or co-principal presenter on over 110 peer-reviewed abstracts, posters, workshops, and research presentations at medical and health education conferences and meetings.

Dr. George Fox, MD, MSc, FRCPC, FCCP (Director of Academic Development for Specialists, PDCS, and Asso-ciate Professor of Medicine, FoM, MUN). Dr. Fox is a graduate of MUN and has also obtained a Masters of Science degree in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Western Ontario. He has Fellowships and Certificates of Special Competence from the RCPSC and the American College of Chest Physicians in Internal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, and Critical Care Medicine. As Associate Professor of Medicine, Dr. Fox is actively involved in teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Dr. Fox is a member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Long Term Planning Committee for the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS); and Chair of CPD Accreditation Committee and a member of the Professional Devel-opment Committee for the RCPSC. From 2001-2007, he served as Clinical Chief for the Critical Care Program, Eastern Regional Health Authority, St. John’s, NL. He was previously Division Chief of Respirology, Eastern Regional Health Authority. Dr. Fox’s current hospital appointments include Internal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, and Critical Care Medicine.

Dr. Pamela Snow, MD, CCFP, FCFP (Director of Academic Development for Family Physicians, PDCS, and Associate Professor of Medicine, FoM, MUN). Dr. Snow is a graduate of MUN and is a Fellow of the CFPC. She is an active teacher in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. Dr. Snow has sat on the CFPC’s national examination committee for many years and is coordinator of both the Academic and Community Based Option Family Medicine rotations for the postgraduate residency training program at MUN. Dr. Snow has served on numerous medical school committees including the undergraduate medical school admissions committee; as well she was the Assistant Postgraduate Residency Director for Family Medicine for many years. Dr. Snow has a full-time family medicine practice in St. John’s, NL and her publica-tion topic areas include breastfeeding, physicians as parents, and CPD frameworks for rural areas.

Dr. Carl Sparrow, MD, CCFP, FCFP (Director of the CSAT Program, PDCS, based in Corner Brook, NL). Dr. Sparrow is a Fellow of the CFPC and holds positions on various working committees of the MCC addressing International Medical Graduate (IMG) assessments and the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FMRAC). He has represented the program nationally and internationally with the International Physician Assessment Coalition (IPAC). He has a hospital based practice in Corner Brook, NL.

PDCS Management Structure

Within the management structure of PDCS, the PDCS Director reports to the Vice Dean of the FoM. The PDCS Director also leads the Senior Management Team which is comprised of managers who oversee Oper-ations, Finance, Strategic Initiatives, and Business Development. Daily operations and activities of the Office are guided by a Senior Management Team, a team of Program Managers, as well as staff with exten-sive experience in Educational Consulting, Research and Evaluation, Instructional Design, Event Manage-ment, Information Technology, and Multimedia Design. Several members of the team have masters-level education in Post-Secondary Education and Research, and other significant qualifications in Technology, Education, Project Management, and Business. These qualifications enable the Office to provide a variety of learning programs to its target audience, to reach those practicing in both rural and urban communities


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and to evaluate if these initiatives are meeting physicians’ needs and impacting on the care provided to their patients.

Senior Management Team

Fran Kirby, MEd, BEd, BSc (Director). Fran has been the key leader in fostering substantial growth and development of the CPD office and distance conferencing technology for PDCS. Leading a team of 25 inno-vative and creative professionals, Fran has successfully secured over $7M in R&D funding through business partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders within both the public and private sectors. As founder and Chair of the MDcme.ca Consortium, Fran has partnered with 17 medical schools to provide leadership in online CPD. The MDcme.ca project has strong ties with the CMA, CFPC, RCPSC, provincial and federal governments, and not-for-profit organizations.

Cindy Whitton, MEd, BBA, AIT (Manager of Operations). Cindy is Manager of Operations position and serves as a member of the Senior Management Team within PDCS. She has over 17 years’ experience in the areas of adult and technology enabled education and project management. Cindy has played a key role in the successful delivery of many initiatives through PDCS as Senior Instructional Designer, Manager of Online CPD, and now leading the Program Managers as Manager of Operations. With a Master’s Degree in Post-Secondary Education and undergraduate Degree and Diploma in Business Administration and Information Technology, Cindy also has a strong academic background which serves her well in her position.

Dave Adams (Project Accountant). Dave is responsible for the overall financial administration at PDCS and provides accounting consulting for federally funded (Health Canada) projects such as the Project for Enhanced Rural Remote Training (PERTT) project and Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHP) initiative. Other functions Dave is responsible for include developing financial procedures; monthly and quarterly reporting within the department, the FoM, and externally to granting agencies; cash flow management; filing claims and submitting invoices to agencies that provide funding to promote CPD devel-opment through various onsite and online projects; budget submissions to the FoM, as well as annual budget preparation and review.

Richard Haywood, BComm (Manager, Business Development and Marketing). Richard brings more than 10 years’ experience in the areas of account management, strategic planning, sales and marketing to enhance business goals and learning objectives for PDCS clients within the online learning market. He works with the client to create a positive business framework that helps address areas such as compliance with accred-itation standards, all the while advancing end-user and client learning solutions. Richard’s approach ensures that investments made are aligned with a specific purpose and have measurable results. His experience includes dealing with senior executives in numerous private industry sectors, health authorities and medical societies, plus addressing mandate and service level learning objectives related to departments and divi-sions within federal and provincial governments.

Program Managers

Lisa Fleet, MA, Dip Ad Ed, BEd (Manager, Research Programs). Lisa has 11 years’ experience leading provin-cial and national research and development projects. As an accomplished and published researcher and evaluator, she brings extensive experience in needs assessment and evaluation research design, including immediate and outcomes evaluations, as well as data analysis. Lisa has successfully obtained research


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funding as lead and co-applicant for various studies, is published in the peer-reviewed literature, and frequently presents at provincial, national, and international conferences.

Robert Glynn, MEd, B Comm, BA, AIT (Senior Instructional Designer). Robert has 11 years’ experience within PDCS when he joined the team to help develop the Information Technology (IT) services arm of the organi-zation as Manager of Information Systems. Robert has a keen interest in using information and communi-cations technologies to facilitate educational programs for adults and, after successfully completing a Master’s program in educational technology, has shifted his focus from IT to the educational aspects of PDCS’ programs. As the Senior Instructional Design Specialist, Robert brings a wealth of experience in project management and educational technology to bear on PDCS’ online projects and programs and has consulted on educational technology for a number of international project initiatives.

Cecilia Mesh (Manager, Live/Onsite CPD Programs). Cecilia provides operational leadership and managerial services to develop and deliver live/onsite CPD programs from the development to evaluation project stages. She collaborates with members of the PDCS team, other university departments, private-sector firms, provincial, and national medical associations/societies, government departments, not-for-profit orga-nizations, as well as many other external clients to ensure PDCS meets its objective of providing quality, up-to-date CPD programs that improve patient outcomes. Cecilia has 9 years’ experience in managing CPD programs and over 20 years in the university environment. She has received a Certificate of Business Admin-istration through MUN and is currently completing a degree in Bachelor of Education (Post-Secondary) through MUN.

Todd Pardy, BA (Manager, Information Technology). Todd has been a multimedia developer/ programmer for over 15 years, specializing in application development. During that time, he developed numerous e-learning applications for a wide variety of clients that include Nav Canada, Pfizer, Dell, RBC, Prentice Hall, McGraw-Hill, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, and Health Canada. Todd currently manages all information technology-related projects and tasks in the department.

Perry Ward, B Tech, P Tech, BMET, CTS (Manager, Unified Communications). Perry has 20 years of technical experience and provides collaborative and communicative technologies for internal and external clients for the public and private sector. He has travelled internationally deploying technologies to aid primary health care initiatives and other government funded projects. Perry currently manages Unified Communications within PDCS.


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Our Services

PDCS provides innovative, accredited CPD to enhance competencies of health professionals, faculty, and students with the goal of improving public health. PDCS offers a breadth of learning opportunities each year which address the needs of health professionals who practice in both urban and rural communities across Newfoundland & Labrador, nationally, and internationally. Programs are offered in a variety of formats, at a distance, and in accessible locations, including:

� live/onsite (face-to-face) programs, � online self-directed and facilitated programs, � distance enabled learning via unified communications (audio/video/web), � discipline clinical rounds, � Clinical Skills Assessment & Training Program (CSAT) – assesses and trains IMGs wishing to prac-

tice in the province, and � Assessment and Retraining Program – provides support for Post Graduate Medical Education

(PGME), but also for practicing physicians in need of assessment and/or retraining.

We also promote a host of partnering opportunities within the public and private sectors external to MUN. These include research and evaluation, event management, development of online programs, unified communication services, including audio, video, and web conferencing technologies.


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Strategic Priorities & Progress

Strategic Priorities

Figure 2 provides a strategy map illustrating how the strategic priorities enabled by our guiding principles ensure PDCS achieve the mission of “providing innovative continuing professional development (CPD) to enhance and maintain competencies of health professionals, faculty, and students, and improve public health”.

The PDCS mission statement aligns with the FoM mission statement by addressing the objectives of “enhancing the health of the people of Newfoundland & Labrador by educating physicians”, and “promoting lifelong learning”.

The overarching vision of Memorial University is driven by five (5) pillars of strategic focus:

1. Students2. Research, Creative Activity, and Scholarship3. Needs of the Province4. Conditions for Success5. Institutional Responsibility

These five (5) pillars assist faculties and departments establish targets, implementation strategies and annual measurement plans that enable them to contribute toward a growth agenda for MUN that will be pursued over the next five (5) years.

As MUN sets university-wide goals and establishes alignment strategies, PDCS (via engagement with health professionals and optimization of its service offerings) coordinates and links its activities through its stra-tegic priorities towards achieving the goals of both the FoM and in turn, MUN.

To support lifelong learning in the core programs for the FoM, and to better meet the CPD needs of physi-cians and other health professionals, there is a need for an integrated approach in the continuing health education environments. As part of this integrated approach, PDCS utilizes numerous frameworks which directly flow into the strategic objectives of MUN as a whole. Where applicable our teaching and learning efforts are tied to research as complimentary activities, and we use the Teaching and Learning Framework as our standard to achieve our goals. The Teaching and Learning Framework of the university connects learners and educators to each other, our community and our world, in the service of knowledge genera-tion and exchange, and the advancement of society.

More details about the Framework can be found at: http://www.delts.mun.ca/faculty/teachinglearning/

http://www.delts.mun.ca/faculty/teachinglearning/


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Figure 2: PDCS Strategy Map

Faculty of Medicine Mission StatementOur mission is to enhance the health of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador by educating physicians and

health researchers; promoting lifelong learning; conducting research in biomedical, clinical, applied health sciences, community health and medical humanities; engaging communities and decision makers; and collaborating to apply

the best available evidence in the formulation of policy and the organization and delivery of care.

Professional Development and Conferencing Services Mission Statement

The mission of Professional Development and Conferencing Services (PDCS) is to provide innovative continuing professional development (CPD) to enhance and maintain competencies of health care

providers, faculty and students and improve public health.

• Students• Research, Creative Activity and Scholarship• Needs of the Province

• Conditions for Success• Institutional Responsibility

Memorial University Strategic Plan

Principles

Strategic Priorities1. Promote and Engage health Care Providers in

Lifelong Learning2. Foster Partnerships/Collaborations/Networks

and Build Innovations3. Expand Critical Inquiry and Scholarly Research4. Advancement of Performance improvement

and Patient Safety5. Funding

Guiding

Excellence, creativityand innovation

Medical leadership and advocacy in CPD

Evaluation and continuous

quality improvement

Philosophyof lifelong learning

Social accountabilityKnowledge translation Research, criticalinquiry and scholarship

Partnerships

Adherence to ethicaland regulatory standards

Inter- and intra-professional practice


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Progress

The PDCS three (3) year strategic plan (2012-2015) is now one (1) year in progress. To date, PDCS has had a productive year and has made advancements with achieving the five departmental strategic priorities:

1. Promote and Engage Health Professionals in Lifelong Learning2. Foster Partnership/Collaboration/Networks and Build Innovation3. Expand Critical Inquiry and Scholarly Research4. Advancement of Performance Improvement and Patient Safety5. Funding

Below Table 1 maps our approach to achieving and implementing our strategic plan.

Table 1: Implementation Plan 2012 - 2015 (based on fiscal year)

Strategic Priority Benchmark Timeline Lead

1. Promote and Engage Physicians & Health Professionals in Lifelong Learning1.1 Foster CanMEDs attri-

butes in CPD program development

Programs identify CanMEDs attributes in brochures and program descriptions

Y1 – Y3, regular review

PDCS Senior Management Team in collaboration with Program Managers, and in consultation with PD Council

1.2 Develop needs assess-ment data collection strategies

Inventory of health professionals perceived and unperceived needs (i.e. population health statistics)

Y1 – Y3, regular review

1.3 Clinical traineeship, assessment/retraining, CSAT

Completion and evaluation numbers Y1 – Y3 , review annually

1.4 Increase involvement in physician and health professionals CPD locally and regionally

Faculty development support, Needs assessment and evidence customized programs/linkages

Y2 – Y3

1.5 Revalidation – supporting CPSNL identified areas of need and physician mentorship

Evidence of working with CPSNL/NLMA/RHAs

Y1 – Y3, ongoing

1.6 Increase Inter/Intra-professional education

Broader base of planning committees/identification of needs of HP groups

Y1 – Y3, ongoing


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2. (a) Foster Partnerships/Collaborations/Networks2.1a Promote PDCS activi-

ties, services, and resources

Demonstrated in business contracts and secured/new partnerships and collaborations

Y1 – Y3, ongoing

Director, PDCS and Manager of Business Development and Marketing

2.2a Broaden scope of collaboration within public, private, and not-for-profit

2.3a Create partnerships with other CPD providers

2.4a Build relationships with regulatory authorities, medical, and health professional associations

2. (b) Build Innovation2.1b Create and apply

innovative Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) solutions to meet health professionals CPD needs

Develop an IT strategy that includes mobile application development and web conferencing solutions

Implement into programming

Y2 – Y3Manager of Technology Consulting

2.2b Leverage technology and build relationships with FOM and RHAs to reach rural physicians’ CPD needs

Y1 – Y3, ongoing

Manager of Technology Consulting, Other Program Managers, and Senior Management Team

2.3b Incorporate innovative technology in e-learning for health professionals

2.4b Documentation of home grown tech-nology solutions

Develop a documentation process for in-house developed IT solutions

Evidence of customized solutions

Y1 – Y3


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3. Expand Critical Inquiry in Evaluation and Scholarly Research3.1 Increase research

profile through creative collaboration with government, industry, and not for profit organizations

Peer reviewed published papers, presentations, and new collaborations

Y1 – Y3, ongoing

Manager of Research Consulting, and Senior Management Team

3.2 Develop alliances with other CPD providers

Research grants secured for 100-500k per year

3.3 Assess perceived and unperceived needs of physicians

Distribution of surveys to all physicians in the province; environmental scans of clinical/non-clinical provincial health needs; review of provincial/national health statistics and benchmarks; review of peer-reviewed literature and clinical practice guidelines

3.4 Develop more outcomes based-evaluation

Conduct R & D initiatives which have potential to impact health professional education, patient safety, and improve public health

3.5 Collect data on different levels from learner, faculty, institution, patient care, and other sub-levels

Number and types of initiatives

3.6 Development of stan-dards for ‘what is quality’ in various aspects of programming

Evaluation of client satisfaction with PDCS; development of quality standards documentation

Development of standards document


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4. Advancement of Performance Improvement and Patient Safety4.1 Develop a framework

template on how to determine the success of an educational program in this area

CSAT statistics/summary

Delivery of programs that address identified public health needs with significant patient safety issues

Data analysis on participants’ commitment to change, completion of patient action plans, pre-to-post increase in knowledge and confidence to indicate advancement in performance improvement

Y1 – Y3, ongoing

Manager of Research Consulting, Senior Management Team, and PD Council in an advisory capacity4.2 Demonstrate impact of

our educational inter-ventions on perfor-mance improvement and patient-safety

Outcomes evaluation data related to impact of programs on performance and patient care Y2 – Y3

5. Funding5.1 Diversify the mix of

funding sources Diversification and broad base of funding sources

Y1 – Y3, ongoing

Senior Management Team

5.2 Build relationships with potential funders

5.3 Develop alternate funding models for various programs

5.4 Monitor and manage financial accounts in accordance with generally accepted accounting rules and principles

Increase in cash flow and elimination of deficits

Adoption of COI policy within FoM

Y1, review annually

5.5 Update Conflict of Interest Policy


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PDCS has made excellent progress with the Implementation Plan in Year one (1). Below you will find some highlights under each of the five (5) strategic priorities.

Strategic Priority 1: Promote and Engage Health Professionals in Lifelong Learning

� Brochures, promotional materials, and online program descriptions for CPD programs identify CanMEDS competencies.

� Several provincial and national needs assessments targeting various health professionals have been completed.

� In 2012-2013, 29 assessments and 26 completions took place in the CSAT program. � Several inter-professional CPD programs took place in areas of pain management, breast health,

and arthritis. � PDCS is working with College of Physicians Surgeons of Newfoundland & Labrador (CPSNL) studying

CSAT trained physicians and successful CCFP designations. PDCS is also leading a study in collab-oration with the Newfoundland & Labrador Medical Association (NLMA) focusing on physicians’ educational and wellness needs as they age and transition to retirement.

Strategic Priority 2: Foster Partnership/Collaboration/Networks and Build Innovation

� PDCS has been promoting services to clinical disciplines via FoM Senior Management Committee (SMC) and Faculty Council (FC) presentations, as well was featured in the MUNMed News (internal newsletter), and FoM “Quick Links” section of the website.

� PDCs has been working with MCC, FMRAC and CPSNL, DOHCS, NLMA, and collaborating with various FoM departments on initiatives.

� Working on a formal evergreening policy and reusing machines off lease. � Mobile device enabled websites and online programs have been partially implemented. � PDCS is webcasting more and more onsite programs to increase reach throughout the province. � Improved documentation for custom IT solutions within PDCS.

Strategic Priority 3: Expand Critical Inquiry and Scholarly Research

� PDCS has published articles, presented at forums. � Collaborated with Autism Society, NLMA, Arthritis Society, Government of NL, Association of

Registered Nurses of Newfoundland Labrador (ARNNL), and Regional Health Authorities (RHAs). � PDCS staff also sit on various research committees. � Evaluation of programs is a key component of many proposals and has proven to be a need with

partners to ensure objectives are being met and to foster improvement in programming. � Several needs assessments have been completed or are in progress targeting various health

professionals. � Outcomes research continues, with several studies underway in 2013 with programs such as the

PMLP.

Strategic Priority 4: Advancement of Performance Improvement and Patient Safety

� Outcomes research continues, with several studies underway in 2013 with programs such as the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) online series.

� Delivery of programs like the Pain Management CPD program address identified public health needs with significant patient safety issues.


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Strategic Priority 5: Funding

� PDCS has partnerships with a variety of organizations across various health professional fields including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health.

� Diversification is a strength within PDCS where partnerships with public and private sector exist to achieve strategic priorities.

� On February 19, 2013, FoM Faculty Council passed the Policy on Management of Accredited CME/CPD Activities and External Financial Support (Appendix 1).


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Highlights of the Year

PDCS CACME Accreditation Status 2012

PDCS is an accredited provider of university CPD by the CACME of the AFMC. CACME accreditation provides a transparent and accountable accreditation process to ensure that university-accredited providers of CPD exhibit the highest standards of performance expected of academic institutions and contributes to the health needs of society. Every five (5) years PDCS is externally reviewed by CACME to ensure we are meeting these national standards. PDCS site survey review took place on June 14-15, 2012 and on December 18, 2012, PDCS was notified of full accreditation status. See Appendix 2a and 2b for the full letters from Dean Rourke, MUN, FoM, and the CACME Surveyors outlining the review findings.

New Policy on Management of Accredited CME/CPD Activities and External Financial Support

PDCS holds itself to the highest ethical standard and recognizes that accountability and transparency are essential within its programs. PDCS is a university-accredited provider of CPD as designated by CACME. Such designation allows PDCS to accredit CFPC and RCPSC, CPD programs by following accreditation guide-lines set forth by the two colleges. PDCS also follows policies and standards set forth by other national stakeholders of health education (see page 4). PDCS staff work to deliver CPD activities that are in full compliance with these policies and standards to ensure the delivery of quality accredited CPD. On February 19, 2013, FoM Faculty Council passed the Policy on Management of Accredited CME/CPD Activities and External Financial Support (Appendix 1). The purpose of the policy is to:

1. Define a centralized and streamlined process for the coordination and accreditation of CPD programs offered by the MUN, FoM to physicians and health professionals within the province.

2. Clarify the role of MUN, FoM faculty members involved in CPD activities, including disclosure and conflict of interest, while ensuring the delivery of unbiased, high-quality programming.

PDCS are actively consulting with faculty and staff on how the policy applies to their Live/Onsite programs and where opportunities to collaborate may exist. PDCS has developed supporting documents to assist faculty planning accredited CPD events. Appendix 3 is the Accreditation Map for Onsite/Blended CPD Programs and Appendix 4 represents the Required Involvement for Accredited Onsite/Blended CPD Programs.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Online CPD Series

The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) series via MDcme.ca provides online participants with the opportunity to gain knowledge, learn practical approaches, and carefully consider the complexities associ-ated with drinking in pregnancy, multidisciplinary practice, and working with invisible disabilities. Presenta-tion of evidence, discussions, and links to further resources are all part of the three (3) learning modules. The overall objectives of these three (3) linked and accredited (CFPC, RCPSC) courses are: to engage prac-titioners in learning and critical thinking about alcohol use in pregnancy and alcohol-related disabilities; and to inspire best practice when working with women of childbearing years, with pregnant women who drink alcohol, and with people affected by in-utero alcohol exposure, with and without diagnoses.


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Physician Management and Leadership Program

A unique collaboration has been formed between MUN, FoM and MUN, Faculty of Business (Gardiner Centre), Government of Newfoundland & Labrador (DOHCS), and the four (4) RHAs to foster the develop-ment of health care leaders within the provincial health system. The program seeks to support the develop-ment of executive management and leadership skills and abilities to a selected cohort of leaders from the four (4) RHAs and the MUN, FoM. Designed to maximize both flexibility and networking opportunities, the program utilizes a mix of interactive, face-to-face workshops, and online learning experiences.

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Helping Patients Manage Chronic Pain Live/Onsite CPD

The Pain Management Day CPD program held in November 2012 was offered in collaboration with the Chronic Disease Division, DOHCS, Government of Newfoundland & Labrador. The catalyst for this confer-ence derived from discussions with the Chronic Disease Division and from feedback gathered through needs assessment surveys conducted by PDCS. The purpose of the program was to address a significant gap in primary care in providing adequate chronic pain management and fostered an interdisciplinary approach to management of chronic pain, as best practice. The conference covered a variety of topics including self-management, interventional, and non-interventional modalities to treat pain. The program targeted family physicians, specialists, pharmacists, and other health professionals. Feedback on the program was extremely positive.

Examination of the Effect of Low versus High-Fidelity Simulation on Neonatal Resuscitation Program Learning Outcomes Research Project

Funded by the Janeway Research Advisory Committee, the purpose of this research project was to examine the effect of using low versus high-fidelity manikin simulators in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) training on medical students. The areas of focus included: knowledge/skills (megacode); satisfaction; confi-dence; and teamwork behaviours. The overall findings suggest

1. the type of manikin used for training has no significant influence on knowledge and skills performed and teamwork behaviours during an NRP megacode, and

2. the most significant impact of high-fidelity training for NRP is on students’ satisfaction with the training experience and confidence to perform NRP

Study findings have been presented at the Medical Education Scholarship Forum (November 2012) and the Canadian Conference on Medical Education (April 2013). A manuscript was submitted for publication to Pediatrics (official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics), however, it was not accepted. Other submissions are planned in the 2013-2014 year.

Clinical Skills Assessment and Training

The CSAT program is based in Corner Brook, NL but administered throughout the province. The program had another successful year augmenting new primary care physicians beginning rural practice. The program has a strong presence not only in Atlantic Canada, but also nationally. It is one of the seven (7) provincial assessment centers for Practice Ready Assessments (PRAs) which the FMRAC recognizes. The CSAT Director sits on FMRACs Working Group on Assessment and Training as well as MCC’s National Assessment


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Collaboration (NAC) Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Test and Exam Committees. The focus in 2013 will be exam development. The focus in 2014 will be preceptor training. It is hoped that 16 physicians each year will come through this program to deliver primary rural care in Newfoundland & Labrador.

Assessment and Retraining

PDCS is in the process of developing a three (3) hour online program for IMGs addressing educational needs relating to patient/colleague communication. The program consists of three (3) modules, each addressing a different theme in communication and includes didactic instruction, video, asynchronous discussion, and assessment and evaluation. The programs are scheduled to launch via MDcme.ca in June 2013.

Unified Communications Services Expanded and Improved

PDCS signed a new teleconferencing contract with Arkadin Collaboration Services, which will allow the department to streamline the existing conference booking system, significantly reducing the costs of the service to the end user, and enable PDCS to expand capacity. Ultimately, PDCS will now be equipped to offer unified communications to all RHAs, either by audio, video, and/or web conferencing.

During the past fiscal year, web conferencing has seen significant uptake as either a stand-alone service, or more commonly as an alternative means to attend Live/Onsite CPD programs. This service is a timely one given the current travel budget reductions within the public sector. Wednesday at Noon (W@N) now has more participants attending via “Adobe Connect” our web-conference software, than traditional telecon-ference attendees. Our ability to archive these events has also enabled PDCS to increase the amount of archived content to subscribers.

Technology Enhancements

In-house application development is considered a key strength of the PDCS team. With expertise in the area of mobile application development, PDCS technical staff work to ensure the department is using the latest technologies for innovative program delivery. During this fiscal year, PDCS has upgraded all online CPD programs offered through MDcme.ca as compatible with mobile devices like the iPad and android tablets. In addition, MDcme.ca was redesigned in 2012 and launched in January 2013 with a focus on “Program Series” dealing with a similar topic e.g. FASD and Bugs, Drugs, & Shots. This approach was instru-mental in securing partnerships with the Canadian Stroke Network and the Canadian Pediatric Society. MDcme.ca will be incorporating automatic credit upload of CPD credits to the CFPC and RCPSC in the coming months.


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CPD Program Summary and Statistics

PDCS derives its strengths from:

� a variety of innovative and educational activities and services accessible to physicians of all special-ties and other health professionals across the province – live/onsite (hands-on and didactic), online, audio/video/webconferencing, blended formats, clinical rounds, physician assessment and re-training,

� activities and services supported by a formalized council and management structure, with faculty and staff experienced in medicine, education, research, information technology, multimedia, and graphic design,

� faculty involved in planning or implementing CPD activities have access to various support services and resources via PDCS, and

� an extensive collection and analysis of perceived and unperceived needs data which is used to determine the content and format of educational activities.

This section will provide a summary of programs offered over the fiscal year (April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013). In addition, demographical and statistical information for the same period will also be provided.

Live/Onsite and Blended Learning Programs

Live/Onsite Programs

PDCS works collaboratively with stakeholders to handle the planning, implementation, and marketing of Live/Onsite CPD programs. PDCS is an acknowledged leader in providing accredited and high quality CPD programs to meet the educational needs of physicians and other health professionals with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes. PDCS strives to offer programs in response to societal needs and healthcare system matters by addressing areas such as prevention, patient wait times, and improving referral processes. Live/onsite programs include workshops and conferences that range from one hour to multiple sessions over several days. Technology, such as web conferencing, is used to support our programs to increase access to participants in the province and beyond.

Over the past year many current CPD topics relevant to health professionals in Newfoundland & Labrador have been offered as accredited programs in areas such as Carpel Tunnel, Breast Health, Pain Management, and Thyroid Nodules. Table 2 provides a summary of Live/Onsite programs offered for the fiscal year.


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Table 2: Live/Onsite Programs (April 1, 2012 – March 31, 2013)

Date Topic2012April 26 Neurology Evening @ Memorial

Carpel Tunnel to Temporal Arteritis – Everything you need to knowJune 2 NLMA AGM Continuing Medical Education Program July 27-28 Medical Graduates’ Society Reunion 2012October 13 Breast Health from Screening to Post Cancer Treatment: The Whole Kit and KaBOOBleNovember 3 Pain Management: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Helping Patients Manage Chronic

PainNovember 24 Women & Children’s Health Day 2012November 26-27

PriFor 2012: The Primary Healthcare Partnership Forum: Bridging the Gap from Knowledge to Practice

2013February 2 Anaesthesia Point of Care UltrasoundFebruary 22 Understanding the Current Management of Thyroid Nodules

Blended Learning Modality CPD Programs

Wednesday@Noon - Ask the Consultant

The Wednesday@Noon program has provided health professionals with regular lunch time CPD for over 30 years. The program is a series of “case-study” based CPD available free of charge via onsite attendance, audio conferencing, and web conferencing technologies of PDCS. By offering the program free of charge and increasing accessibility via unified communications technologies, PDCS has tripled registrations in the fiscal year. The program provides practical information related to patient management challenges and effective treatment procedures. A specialist consultant, who is available during the presentation to answer participants’ questions, delivers each session. Table 3 provides a summary of W@N programs offered for the fiscal year.

Physician Management and Leadership Program

The program has been formally accredited by the CFPC and the RCPSC and has been successfully delivered to a pilot cohort of 37 health care leaders in the province of Newfoundland & Labrador. In total, 1,641.5 contact hours of CPD was provided to this group. The pilot cohort is participating in a robust evaluation process designed to identify any areas where the program might be enhanced. It is intended that the program will accept another cohort of provincial health leaders for training in the fall of 2013. The online modules of the program have also been offered and piloted to a select group of medical residents who have expressed an interest in health care leadership.

For more information on the program, please visit https://www.physicianleadership.ca

https://www.physicianleadership.ca


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Table 3: Wednesday@Noon Programs (April 1, 2012 – March 31, 2013)

2012 Wednesday@Noon TopicApril 4 Rural Tele-health: New Advances in Technology and its Impact on Patient Healthcare

Delivery and Inter-professional RelationshipsApril 11 Breaking Bad News: Practical Tips for Healthcare ProfessionalsApril 25 Health Canada Advisories/Warnings: A Review of Important Recent AdvisoriesOctober 3 An Emergency Approach to CVA/TIA AssessmentOctober 17 Incidental Adrenal Masses: How to ApproachOctober 19 Medical, Surgical and Social Challenges of Early Childhood Caries (ECC): Detection,

Treatment, and PreventionOctober 24 Literature Searching in Evidence-based PracticeOctober 31 Some Scary Palliative Care SituationsNovember 7 Management and Prevention of Herpes Zoster and Post-Herpetic NeuralgiaNovember 14 Adult Principles of LearningNovember 21 GERD and Dyspepsia: An UpdateNovember 28 Pediatric Eye Problems: Short SnappersDecember 5 Review of Warfarin and New Anticoagulants

2013February 13 GI Hot Topics: Celiac Disease and Primary Biliary Cirrhosis; Keys to Recognition,

Diagnosis and ManagementFebruary 27 Ovarian Cancer: New Advances in Pathophysiology, Current Diagnostic Screening

Procedures and TreatmentMarch 13 Fitness to Drive: Key Determinants in Assessing Driver CompetenceMarch 27 Psychosis Intervention: Early Detection and Treatment

Statistics for Live/Onsite, Wednesday at Noon, and Physician Management & Leadership Program

Table 4 provides a cumulative summary of registration statistics for the above listed Live/Onsite programs, W@N, and PMLP. In total, PDCS provided 5375 contact hours of CPD, between all formats.

Table 4: Statistics & Demographics for Live/Onsite, W@N, and PMLP (April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013)

Prog

ram

Typ

e

GPs

Spec

ialis

ts

Nur

ses

Nur

se

Prac

titio

ners

Phar

mac

ists

Oth

er H

ealt

h Pr

ofes

sion

als

UG

Stu

dent

s

PG S

tude

nts

Oth

er S

tude

nts

Oth

er

Tota

l Pa

rtic

ipan

ts

Tota

l Con

tact

H

ours

Live/Onsite Programs

205 144 16 9 10 25 16 15 97 45 582 2579.5

W@N 410 34 93 184 5 121 25 52 62 160 1146 1154 PMLP 15 20 2 37 1641.5Totals 630 198 109 193 15 146 41 67 159 207 1765 5375


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Online CPD Programs

MDcme.ca

MDcme.ca is an initiative of PDCS designed to provide credible, flexible, and accessible CPD opportunities for Canadian physicians and health professionals. MDcme.ca delivers evidence based, trusted, and accred-ited online CPD in a number of therapeutic areas. MDcme.ca has the support of a consortium of all 17 medical schools nationally. This consortium gives access to a diverse and highly skilled group of content experts. Our instructional designers work collaboratively with our consortium partners to develop the highest quality accredited CPD specifically designed for online delivery to Canadian physicians and health professionals.

In addition to the consortium, PDCS has collaborated with a number of health professional groups such as the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), federal and provincial governments, specialist societies, and private sector organizations to provide quality CPD opportunities for Canadian health professionals.

For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the MDcme.ca platform has added programs in the area of Infectious Disease, Dementia, Breast Cancer Screening, HIV/AIDS, and FASD.

For more information on MDcme.ca, visit http://www.mdcme.ca

CMA.ca

In 2010, PDCS partnered with the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) to offer a series of online and accred-ited CPD to Canadian physicians via CMA and MDcme portals. The collaboration has also fostered more partnering opportunities with other universities, specialty societies, and other organizations. The programs have been accredited for both CFPC (Mainpro M1) and RCPSC (MainCert Section 1) for a period of one (1) year from their launch date. This fiscal year, PDCS has grown its number of programs in collaboration with the CMA to include topics such as HIV/AIDS, Obesity, Emergency Medicine, Diabetes, Health Literacy, and Chronic Pain.

MDcme.ca & CMA.ca Programs & Partners

Table 5 summarizes all programs available via both MDcme and CMA platforms. In total, PDCS has devel-oped 23 online CPD programs, between both platforms. Partnerships on program developments are also listed.

http://www.mdcme.ca


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Table 5: MDcme.ca & CMA.ca Programs & Partners (April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013)

MDcme.ca Topic PartnersBugs, Drugs & Shots (Bone, Joint, & Soft Tissue Infections)

Dalhousie University

Bugs, Drugs & Shots (Respiratory 2) Dalhousie UniversityBugs, Drugs & Shots (Neonates) Dalhousie University Understanding Neonatal JaundiceOvarian Cancer Ovarian Cancer CanadaCervical Screening for Family Physicians Cervical Screening Initiatives Program of

NewfoundlandIncorporating the Canadian Dementia Guidelines into your Practice


Breast Cancer Screening (English and French) Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)Community-based and Culturally Appropriate HIV/AIDS Diagnosis and Treatment

Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Module 1: Prevention (English and French)

PHAC

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Module 2: Diagnosis (English and French)

PHAC

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Module 3: Recognition, Treatment and Support in One’s Practice

PHACpr

CMA.ca Partners (in addition to CMA)Parkinson’s Disease Canadian Neurological Sciences FederationAlzheimer’s Dementia Canadian Psychiatric AssociationCommon Skin DisordersResistant Hypertension University of OttawaCommunity-based and Culturally Appropriate HIV/AIDS Diagnosis and Treatment


Obese PatientAcute and Chronic Pain Canadian Association of Physician Medicine

& Rehabilitation (CAPM&R)Type 2 Diabetes Queens UniversityAcute Coronary Syndromes Canadian Association of Emergency

PhysiciansHealth Literacy (English) Health Canada, PHAC, Canadian Nursing

AssociationHealth Literacy (French) Health Canada, PHAC, Canadian Nursing

Association

Statistics for MDcme.ca and CMA.ca Online CPD

From a national perspective, PDCS has had almost 2,900 registrations for online CPD programs combined between MDcme.ca and CMA.ca during the fiscal year 2012-2013. Below are statistics for both platforms.


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MDcme.ca

From April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013, registration numbers for MDcme portal totaled 509 individual registra-tions and 1216 individual program registrations from various health professions. Statistics and demo-graphics regarding MDcme.ca portal registrations are displayed in Tables 6-8.

Table 6: MDcme.ca Portal Registrations by Province (April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013)

AB BC MB NB NL NS NT NU ON PEI QC SK YT

60 56 20 10 102 26 3 0 137 1 24 43 1

Table 7: MDcme.ca Portal Registrations by Occupation (April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013)

Port

al

Regi

stra

tions

GP/

FP

Spec

ialis

t

Resi

dent

Med

ical

Stu

dent

Nur

se

Prac

titio

ner

Nur

se

Phar

mac

ist

Phys

ioth

erap

ist

Occ

upat

iona

l Th

erap

ist

Soci

al W

orke

r

Oth

er

Libr

aria

n

509 199 36 12 9 24 116 9 0 0 8 96 0

Table 8: MDcme.ca Portal Registrations by Gender and Practice Setting (April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013)

Portal Registrations

Gender Practice Setting Individual Course

RegistrationsMale Female Not

IndicatedUrban Rural Not

Indicated509 178 327 4 207 78 224 1216

CMA.ca

From April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013, registration numbers for CMA.ca CPD programs portal totaled 1676 indi-vidual course registrations. Individual program registrations are displayed in Table 9. NOTE: Programs had various release and expiration dates throughout the identified period, hence, registration numbers will be higher and lower depending on these dates.


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Table 9: CMA Program Registrations (April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013)

Programs Total RegistrationsParkinson's Disease 100Common Skin Disorders 172Alzheimer's Dementia 90Resistant Hypertension 113Combating Stigma 103Community-based and Culturally Appropriate HIV/AIDS Diagnosis and Treatment

97

Obese Patient 260Acute and Chronic Pain 240Type 2 Diabetes 324Acute Coronary Syndromes 161Health Literacy 16TOTAL 1676

RCPSC Maintenance of Certification Applications

PDCS receives applications from MUN faculty members or external medical organizations seeking to have an event approved for Maintenance of Certification study credits. Once the application is received, it is forwarded to the Director of Academic Development, Specialists to be reviewed for approval. Table 10 provides a list of the applications received. All applications were approved.

Table 10: RCPSC Applications

Applicant ProgramNew Brunswick Medical Society 2012 Celebration of MedicineMUN FoM and Hc3 Communications Looking Beyond the SkinMedical Education Scholarship Committee (MESC), MUN FoM

Enhancing Assessment to Realize the Promise of Competency Based Medical Education

Canadian Stroke Network 3rd Canadian Stroke ConferenceNewfoundland & Labrador Medical Association (NLMA) Performance Clinic – Process ImprovementAnesthesiology, MUN FoM Point of Care Ultrasound for

Anesthesiology

Internationally Educated Nurses Modules

This provincial initiative was facilitated by the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador DOHCS with finan-cial support by Health Canada under the IEHP initiative. This project was developed to support the work-place and community integration of IENs. The project required the collaboration of several groups including Association for Registered Nurses of Newfoundland & Labrador (ARNNL), Centre for Nursing Studies


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(CNS), and the Office of the Chief Provincial Nurse. In the past year the initiative was expanded in scope to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and two (2) of the modules address their specific needs.

PDCS developed a portal that currently houses 15 online modules together with several publications avail-able for download by the RHAs. In this current year, PDCS developed four (4) new modules, released at the end of March, 2013. The module topics included:

� What’s Needed to Become a Leader in Nursing Today? � Communication and Conflict Management for Nursing Leaders � Decision Making, Assignment, and Delegation for Nursing Leaders � Managing Change, Your Time, and Your Team

As the 4 new modules just launched at the end of the fiscal year, no registration statistics are available. However Table 11 does provide statistics for the other 11 modules for the fiscal year.

Table 11: IEN Course Registrations (April 1, 2012 – March 31, 2013)

Programs RegistrantsCommunications in Nursing 44Nursing Process 24Diversity in the Workplace 72Cultural Awareness 29Canadian Health Care System 29Mentorship 37Scope of Practice 69Jurisprudence - RN 33Medication Administration 51Scope of Practice – LPN 0Jurisprudence - LPN 4

Clinical Skills Assessment and Training Program

The CSAT program was developed to assess the core knowledge, skills, and competencies of physicians in a general practice setting in NL. CSAT provides specific, individualized training, and evaluates the effective-ness of that training through in-training evaluation and in some cases, re-assessment. In addition to IMGs, program participants may include current practitioners and physicians who have been out of practice or evaluation is needed for some other purpose some of whom may require further training and/or continuing education in order to meet licensing requirements. The program is six (6) months in duration. In most instances a return for service commitment is required on completion of CSAT. Table 12 provides statistics for the CSAT program for the fiscal year.


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Table 12: CSAT Program Statistics (April 1, 2012 – March 31, 2013)

TOTALS# of Assessments: 29# of Reassessments 4# Eligible for Training 27# Not Eligible 2# Results Pending 0# Completed Training 26# Entering Training 35# Weeks of Training Provided 595# Withdrew 2

Assessment and Retraining

Assessment and Retraining has been formally operating for seven (7) years and has completed 17 educa-tional programs. Over the next five (5) years the program will continue to provide a limited, but valuable service in the assessment and retraining of physicians in NL. The number of assessments will likely remain small, but stable. The program is constrained by the limited number of training positions available in the clinical setting; however, the services offered have addressed some of the recruitment and retention issues of this province. Between April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013, one (1) candidate completed a four (4) week Clinical Traineeship program in Cardiology during April and May 2012. In addition, at the request of one (1) of the postgraduate programs, a six (6) month remedial educational program was developed and administered for a resident who was noted to have significant problems in residency.

Scholarly Programs

Certificate in Medical Teaching

A Certificate in Medical Teaching was developed in 2007 and was approved by MUN senate. The goal of this program is to provide a broad coverage of evidence-based principles and concepts which underpin effec-tive teaching and learning practices in medical education. The course has been approved as a graduate credit course through MUN and grades will appear on students’ university transcripts. There were nine (9) completions for the period April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013.

Medical Teacher Scholarship Program

PDCS collaborated with the Medical Education Scholarship Centre (MESC), FoM, MUN to offer this program. It is designed to help medical teachers enhance their skills as educators. There are currently five (5) participants scheduled to complete by the end of 2013.


Faculty Development

In 2008 faculty development was formally moved from PDCS to MESC. PDCS will continue to have a role in faculty development in collaboration with MESC in terms of consultation on faculty members’ needs and strategic directions. Figure 3 depicts the model used when forming MESC and illustrates its integrated nature including CPD, medical education, research and graduate studies, and postgraduate studies.

Figure 3: Medical Education Scholarship Centre (MESC)

Medical Education

Scholarship Centre

Research & Grad Studies

PG Medical

MD Education

CPD

From April 1, 2012 - March 31, 2013, registration numbers totaled 119 for faculty development workshops. The topics included:

� Enhancing Assessment to Realize the Promise of Competency-based Medical Education � Lecturing Effectively � Assessing Learning in Pre-Clerkship � Getting Started in Medical Education Scholarship � Medical Education Scholarship Forum � Small Group Learning � Teaching Skills Workshop for Residents � Teaching Skills Workshop for Residents � Assessing Learning in Pre-Clerkship � The Impact of Virtual Patients on Medical Curriculum � Fifty Minutes on the Fifty Minute Lecture � Independent Learning Modules

Preceptor Portal

A recent Report (Capacity of Physician Preceptors, Teachers, and Supervisors in Newfoundland & Labrador for All Specialties, PDCS, 2011) identified 955 preceptors who work with students, residents, international medical students and IMGs at the FoM. These preceptors need access to educational opportunities that are easily accessible due to their wide geographic dispersion. In 2008, PDCS launched a unique training portal


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(Practice Based Preceptor Program (practicebasedpreceptor.ca)) developed with the practice-based preceptor in mind. This project, including all the modules, were made possible through a financial contribu-tion by Health Canada under the IEHP Initiative. The online, interactive learning programs designed with the busy preceptor in mind are still offered via the Preceptor Portal. A new program is currently being created for the portal and PDCS are currently recruiting more content experts to update current programs and develop new programs. Below is the list of current programs available to preceptors via the portal.

From April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013, registration numbers totaled 29 for preceptor workshops via the Preceptor Portal. The topics included:

� Cultural Sensitivity � Newfoundland Healthcare System � Teaching on the Fly � Providing Effective Feedback � Learner in Difficulty � Zen Approach to Learning � Principles of Adult Learning � The Mentoring Process

practicebasedpreceptor.ca)


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Research and Evaluation

PDCS CPD-related research activities continue to serve multiple purposes:

� assessing the perceived and unperceived educational needs of physicians and other health professionals

� evaluating the effectiveness and outcomes of PDCS educational interventions � conducting other innovative research studies

Below you will find a list of all research and evaluation activities for PDCS during the fiscal year (April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013).

Assessing the Perceived and Unperceived Needs of Physicians and Other Health Professionals

During fiscal year 2012-2013, PDCS conducted 14 needs assessments to support development and accredita-tion of PDCS provincial and national CPD programming. A variety of methodologies were utilized to collect needs assessment data including: survey-questionnaires, focus groups, literature reviews, and environ-mental scans of relevant documentation and provincial/national health statistics. These needs assessments included:

� Continuing Education to Impact Patient Care: Your Preferred Topics, Learning Preferences, and Other Educational Needs

� Online survey-questionnaire distributed to all physicians (family physicians and other special-ists) in Newfoundland & Labrador.

� Autism Provincial Needs Assessment � Literature review, two focus groups with families/caregivers of children/adults with autism,

and an online survey-questionnaire distributed to a sample of physicians (family physicians and other specialists) and other health professionals (speech language pathologists, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers, and nurses) in Newfoundland & Labrador. Funded by Autism Speaks Canada via the Autism Society of Newfoundland & Labrador.

� Twelve (n=12) needs assessments to support development and accreditation of online programs focusing on:

� Concussion � National Opioid Use Guideline for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain � Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis � Canadian Dementia Consensus Guidelines � Parkinson’s Disease � Skin Disorders � Ovarian Cancer � Alzheimer/Dementia � Resistant Hypertension � Secondary Stroke Prevention � Children with School Problems � Aboriginal Child Health


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Evaluating the Effectiveness and Outcomes of PDCS Educational Interventions

During fiscal year 2012-2013, PDCS conducted ongoing standard quarterly or annual program evaluation summaries and 2 outcomes evaluation studies, all of which demonstrated: participant satisfaction with and relevance of content; increases in knowledge and confidence; impact on performance and use of resources in practice; and potential impact on patient care, including:

� Standard Quarterly or Annual Program Evaluations � W@N Annual Evaluation Summary � Combating Stigma for Physicians and Other Health Professionals � FASD Series � Breast Cancer Screening � CMA Online Module Summaries

� Outcomes Evaluation Studies � Family Medicine Day “Engaging Hands & Minds”: Did This CPD Program Influence Your Practice

and Patient Care? � Online survey-questionnaire distributed to all program participants three months after

attending the program. � New Horizons in Fibromyalgia: Bringing Hope through Better Patient Care Online Course –

Outcomes Evaluation Study � Online survey-questionnaire distributed to multiple cohorts of program participants; online

survey-questionnaire available for patients of program participants (participants provided with an information flyer and asked to post it for viewing by patients). Funded by an educa-tional grant from Pfizer Canada.

As well, PDCS has designed five (5) evaluation frameworks for program and outcomes evaluations, all of which have received funding and have been approved by the Health Research Ethics Authority (HREA) during fiscal year 2012-2013 (implementation will be 3 to 6 months post-launch of each program), including:

� PMLP � Getting a GRIP on Arthritis Online Modules � FASD Series � IMG Communications Online Program � Canadian National Opioid Guideline Online Program

Other Innovative Research Studies

� Helping Physicians Maintain Wellness, Knowledge, & Skills as they Age and Transition to Retirement (2012-2013)

� Literature review, stakeholder interviews, survey-questionnaire with sample of physicians age 55+. Conducted in collaboration with University of Saskatchewan. Jointly funded by the NLMA and the Saskatchewan Medical Association.

� Examination of the Effect of Low versus High-Fidelity Simulation on Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Learning Outcomes

� Funded by the Janeway Research Advisory Committee in 2011, but study not implemented until 2012.


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� IEHP Initiative (2011-2016) � PDCS leading project management and evaluation of four sub-projects. Collaboration with the

Government of Newfoundland & Labrador, the ARNNL, and the four (4) RHAs. Funded by Health Canada, IEHP Initiative.

� BPPNL: How ‘Best Practice Prescribing in Newfoundland & Labrador’ Can Influence Patient Care � Collaboration between the FoM, School of Pharmacy, Government of Newfoundland &

Labrador, and the Newfoundland & Labrador Centre for Health Information (NLCHI). Purpose is to examine whether an educational intervention involving family physicians’ review of their individual prescribing data (collected from the Pharmacy Network) and educational materials will influence their prescribing. While funding for full study implementation is still pending, extensive work has been undertaken including: an environmental scan; development of a concept paper; establishment of a study team; seed funding obtained in the form of a Development Grant from the Newfoundland & Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research (NLCAHR) (Lisa Bishop and Lisa Fleet, co-PIs) and an educational grant from Pfizer Canada. Intervention topics have been confirmed; the educational material developed and piloted, with plans underway to make the educational material and CPD activities available online in 2013.

� Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) - Predictive Validity Study (2012-2013) � Collaboration between FMRAC, the MCC, the CPSNL, and the CSAT Program. � Dr. Carl Sparrow (Director, CSAT) is a member of the FMRAC Working Group on Assessment

and Supervision who is undertaking this study in collaboration with the above organizations. CSAT is one of seven (7) PRA programs in Canada that will be providing information to the Canadian Post-M.D. Education Registry (CAPER) (via Dr. Robert Young and the CPSNL which has access to trainees’ medical identifier numbers) to retrospectively track CSAT trainees from 2007-2011 (n=120) to determine where they are currently training/practicing, current licensure status, etc.).

� January 2013 – Ethics approval received from the Ottawa Hospital Research Ethics Board.

Research Grants

During fiscal year 2012-2013, 2 research grants were awarded:

� May 2012 – Getting a GRIP on Arthritis: Interprofessional Online Learning – Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Knowledge to Action Grant (S Brooks Arthritis Society, PI) – $115,580.

� September 2012 – Helping Physicians Maintain Health, Knowledge, & Skills as they Age and Transition to Retirement – NLMA – $7,000.

Others applied for included: � June 2012 – How Will Physicians Maintain Knowledge & Skills as They Approach Retirement? The

Implications for Continuing Medical Education/Continuing Professional Development (CME/CPD) Providers – NLCAHR.

� October 2012 (LOI)/March 2013 (Proposal) – Evaluation of the Efficacy of Social Media as an Enabler of Post-Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Behaviour Change – Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education (SACME).

� February 2013 – Teaching Emergency Skills to Rural Physicians; An Evaluation of Knowledge and Confidence Before and After On-Site Teaching in 7 Rural Hospitals in Newfoundland – NLCAHR – Enhancing Health Care in Newfoundland & Labrador.


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Presentation and Publications

Presentations

During fiscal year 2012-2013, PDCS has been involved in 16 provincial/national/international presentations:

May 2012 Fleet, L. Evaluation of the Internationally Educated Health Professionals’ (IEHP) Initiative in Newfoundland & Labrador (Oral Presentation), CME Congress, Toronto, ON.

May 2012 Curran, V., & Fleet, L. A Survey Study of Resuscitation Skills Retention Amongst Health Pro-viders in Newfoundland & Labrador (Oral Presentation), CME Congress, Toronto, ON.

May 2012 Ungar, T., Weinerman, E., Glynn, R., Fleet, L. Combating the Stigma Related to Mental Ill-ness: An E-learning Best Practice for Physicians and Other Health Professionals (Oral Presentation), CME Congress, Toronto, ON.

May 2012 Purcell, L., Halperin, S., Fleet, L., Glynn, R., Daniels, C., O’Brien, K., Kirby, F. Using Real-Life Cases and Consequences of Response to Enhance Participants’ E-learning Experience (Workshop), CME Congress, Toronto, ON.

May 2012 Bursey, F. Clostridium Dificille: Emerging concepts. Discipline of Surgery Grand Rounds, FoM, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL.

May 2012 Bursey, F. Fulminant Hepatic Failure: A Guide for Anaesthesiologists. Resident Academic Half Day, FoM, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL.

May 2012 Bursey, F. Diabetic Gastropareis: A Primer for Diabetic Educators. St. John’s, NL.

Oct. 2012 Ungar, T., Weinerman, E., Glynn, R., Fleet, L. Combating the Stigma Related to Mental Ill-ness: An e-Learning Best Practice for Physicians and Other Health Professionals (Workshop), 2012 Association for Academic Psychiatry Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN.

Nov. 2012 Maddalena, V., Fleet, L., Kirby, F., Glynn, R., Hurley, B., Morrissey, B., Arscott, S., Alteen, L., & Howell, O. Developing a Physician Management & Leadership Program in Newfoundland & Labrador, (Poster Presentation), Medical Education Scholarship Forum, St. John’s, NL.

Nov. 2012 Curran, V., Fleet, L., White, S., Bessell, C., Deshpandey, A. Drover, A. Examination of the Effect of Low versus High-Fidelity Simulation on Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Learning Outcomes (Oral Presentation), Medical Education Scholarship Forum, St. John’s, NL.

Nov. 2012 Fleet, L, Mesh, C., Snow, P., Curran, V. ‘Hands-On’ Continuing Medical Education (CME) & Impact on Practice Performance: Best Practices and Lessons Learned (Poster Presenta-tion), Medical Education Scholarship Forum, St. John’s, NL.

Nov. 2012 Bethune, C., Asghari, S., McCarthy, P., Godwin, M., Curran, V.R., Bursey, F. Rural Academic Scholarship: Faculty Development Innovations for Distributed Teachers (Oral Presentation), Family Medicine Forum, Toronto, ON.


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Dec. 2012 McCarthy, P., Bethune, C., Asghari, S., Godwin, M., Curran, V.R., Aubrey, K., Bursey, F. Fac-ulty Development Innovations for Distributed Teachers (Poster Presentation), North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.

January 2013 Fleet, L. & Stenerson, H. Research & Development in Continuing Health Education: How to Build Capacity with the Resources you Have (Breakout Session), Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA.

January 2013 Fleet, L., Kim, J., & Gullapalli, V. From Social Media to Social Learning Metrics: Designing and Developing Innovative Web-based CME/CE Activities (Breakout Session), Alliance for Con-tinuing Education in the Health Professions Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA.

February 2013 Lineker, S., Bell, M., Badley, E., Curran, V.R., Fleet, L., Kirby, F., Tugwell, P., Sweezie, R. Needs Assessment for the Development of a New Online Accredited Educational Pro-gram on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis (Poster Presentation), Canadian Rheumatology Association-Arthritis Health Professions Association, Annual Scientific Meeting, Ottawa, ON.

Publications

Peer-Reviewed (Accepted and/or Submitted):

Curran, V., Fleet, L., & Greene, M. (2012). An Exploratory Study of Factors Influencing Resuscitation Skills Retention and Performance Amongst Health Providers. JCEHP 32(2), 126-33.

Fleet, L. (January 2012). ‘I need to measure outcomes, but don’t know where to start’: Considerations for developing & implementing outcomes evaluation studies in your office. ACME Almanac.

Curran, V., Fleet, L., Hayward, M., White, S., Bessell, C., Deshpandey, A., & Drover, A. A Randomized Controlled Study of Simulation Effect on Neonatal Resuscitation Program Learning Outcomes. Submitted. Pediatrics.

Technical Reports

Curran, V., Fleet, L., Hayward, M. Examination of the Effect of Low versus High-Fidelity Simulation on Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Learning Outcomes: Final Report of Study Findings. Professional Development and Conferencing Services, FoM, Memorial University.


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Technology and Innovation at PDCS

PDCS creates and applies innovative Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) solutions to meet physicians’ and health professionals’ CPD needs. As a leader in distance education and unified communica-tions, PDCS has a state of the art environment for delivering CPD to every corner of the province, country, and world where infrastructure exists. The current landscape for the public sector includes cost saving measures like travel budget reductions for meetings and education, and no approval for educational leave. This reality makes PDCS a desirable service provider for many facets of the health sector. In addition, rural and remote practitioners can avail of education opportunities and not be required to be away from practice.

PDCS is also automating several business processes and creating custom solutions to support our unique clientele. Finally, PDCS is making strides in application development to ensure we are providing innovative solutions to our clientele in today’s mobile device driven environment.

Unified Communications Services

The future educational delivery model envisioned by the FoM includes the provision of room-based, high fidelity learning experiences in the province’s larger communities. The FoM’s new video conferencing bridge, a partnership between Health Sciences Information and Media Services (HSIMS) and PDCS, will be utilized to meet the needs of students and faculty in smaller communities by enabling learners to partici-pate in educational activities via lower resolution desktop conferencing solutions. PDCS is also in the testing phase of deploying video technologies to mobile devices. HSIMS and PDCS are currently collabo-rating with vendors using Microsoft Lync as an additional tool for distribution of learning media. In this way, all learners will be able to access MUN`s health education programming and receive the highest quality educational experience available to them.

In order to maximize the potential use capacity of the bridge technology, PDCS also partners with other government departments. For example, the Department of Justice (Government of Newfoundland & Labrador) expanded their number of videoconference sites by 12, in 2012. This expansion of service included the purchase of 12 new mobile VC units, and the updating of equipment in five (5) other offices. PDCS uses an ‘evergreen’ approach where possible and provides all support services from training to installation and adapts the technology based on a client’s specifics need. While not its core mandate, PDCS will provide some services to the general public wishing to avail of communication technology. This is to help offset costs of such equipment.

PDCS signed a new teleconferencing contract with Arkadin Collaboration Services, which will allow the department to streamline the existing conference booking system, significantly reduce the costs of the service to the end user, and enable PDCS to expand capacity. Ultimately, PDCS will now be equipped offer unified communications to all RHAs, either by audio, video, and web conferencing or combinations of all.

Web conferencing has seen significant uptake as either a stand-alone service, or more commonly as an alternative means to attend a program without being there. Wednesday@Noon now has more participants attending via “Adobe Connect” our web-conference software, than traditional teleconference attendees.


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Our ability to archive these events has also enabled PDCS to broaden the amount of archived content avail-able to subscribers.

Table 13 provides a summary of user statistics for audio and video conferencing (web conferencing was implemented later in the fiscal year and is not reported here).

Table 13: Audio and Video Usage by Sector (April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013)

Sector

Audio (hrs)

Video (hrs)

Government 1662 2073

Education 396 10

Health 3080 380

FoM 716 120

PDCS 405 45

Private Sector 148 161

Application Development

Mobile Apps

Currently PDCS has launched two (2) mobile enabled websites: (www.physicianleadership.ca) and (www.mdcme.ca). The second mobile implementation strategy surrounds the new launch of MDcme. The refreshed site has been developed with a platform independent codebase. MDcme users with be able to navigate and interact with their MDcme account (i.e. download copies of course transcripts and certificates on their mobile device). As well PDCS are road mapping an automatic credit submission to the CFPC and RCPSC.

Online Booking Application for Unified Communications Services

PDCS is in the process of developing a customized solution for client driven online bookings of unified communication services (audio, video, and web) and subsequent payment for these services. Phase 1 of the conferencing application is in development and will allow clients to request room booking, audio, video, and web conferences as well as track their usage with PDCS . Phase 2 release will allow clients to pay their invoices online and is scheduled for release in the fiscal year, 2013-2014. Phase 2 will also allow PDCS to automate some business processes by linking to current accounting applications including Simply Accounting. This will streamline billings in a timely manner, thus realizing revenue almost immediately.

CPD Database

PDCS maintains records of individuals participating in onsite CPD programs through an MS SQL database and custom designed user management system. PDCS allows participants in programs to register online, make payment online, and run their own participation reports.

www.physicianleadership.ca

www.mdcme.ca


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Our Contributions

PDCS is leader in CPD and is committed to the health education community. Members of the PD Council and some PDCS staff are extensively involved with organizations across Canada which are involved in CPD. Some examples of our professionals and their involvement include:

Ford Bursey – Member of the steering committee representing the CME/CPD Deans groups as part of the AFMC; Co-Chair of the SCCPD, AFMC; Member of several RCPSC Committees.

George Fox – Dr. Fox is a member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Long Term Planning Committee for the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS); Chair of CPD Accreditation Committee and a member of the Professional Development Committee for the RCPSC.

Elizabeth Bannister – Part of National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) since 2007 and recently Chair of NAC Central Coordinating Committee (NAC3) which oversees the activities and programs of NAC; Chair, Academic Advisory Committee, Assessment and Retraining; Chair, Academic Advisory Committee for CSAT effective as of March 2013; Family Physician representative, Breast Cancer Disease Site Group; Family Physician representative, Breast Cancer Timelines Working Group (as of March 2013).

Carl Sparrow – Member of FMRAC working group on assessment and supervision; worked with the MCC; member of MCC NAC OSCE Exam Committee, MCC NAC OSCE Test Committee, FMRAC Working Group on Assessment and Supervision Framework.

Pamela Snow – Member of the CFPC Short Answer Management Problem (SAMP) Task Force; Member the SCCPD, AFMC.

Vernon Curran – Member of Health Education Task Force, Advisory Committee on Health Delivery and Human Resources, Health Canada; Member of World Health Organization (WHO) Study Group on Inter-professional Education and Collaborative Practice Faculty Lead; Medical Teacher Scholar Program (2011 – Present), Program Chair, Certificate in Medical Teaching, FoM (2007 - Present ); and Member, Canadian Association for Medical Education (CAME) Professional Development Committee (2010 – Present).

Fran Kirby – Member of SCCPD and SCCPD Managers Working Groups; Chair of the Knowledge Trans-lation Group for the Canadian Guideline for Safe and Effective Practice Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain for the Michael G. DeGroote National Pain Centre, McMaster University; Member of the Fifth National CPD Accreditation Conference Planning Committee; Chair (2013), CPD in the City Confer-ence Planning Committee, Member of the 2013 CACHE Annual Meeting Scientific Committee; and Co-Chair of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada eCPD Accreditation Task Force; Past President of the Canadian Association of Continuing Health Education.

Lisa Fleet – Member of SCCPD, AFMC Research Sub-Committee; Member of the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions (ACEHP), and also a Member of the Physician Self-Directed Learning (SDL) National Working Group.


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Partnerships, Collaborations, & Affiliations

PDCS has a diverse portfolio of relationships with the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. PDCS manages these relationships by following the guidelines as set forth by the:

1. CACME,

2. Accreditation guidelines as set by the CFPC and/or the RCPSC,

3. AFMC-SCCPD policy relating to the role of industry in the CPD arena within Canadian faculties of medicine and the ethical standards used to guide such relationships, and

4. The CMA Guidelines for Interactions with Industry (2010) and Canada’s Rx&D Code of Ethical Prac-tices (2012) as set forth by Canada’s Research Based Pharmaceutical Companies. These guidelines relate to interactions with public and private sectors including the AFMC policy on Interactions with Industry (2010).

Below you will find a list of PDCS organizational relationships.

Government of Newfoundland & Labrador

� Department of Advanced Education and Skills � Department of Health and Community Services

� Office of the Chief Provincial Nurse � Health Workforce Planning Division

� Department of Justice � Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture � Regional Health Authorities

� Central Regional Health Authority � Eastern Regional Health Authority � Labrador-Grenfell Regional Health Authority � Western Regional Health Authority

Arkadin Collaboration Services

Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions –

The Aids Committee of Newfoundland & Labrador

The Arthritis Society

Association for Registered Nurses of Newfoundland & Labrador

Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada

Autism Society of Newfoundland & Labrador

Bayer

Bust a Move for Breast Health


Canadian Association of Continuing Health Education

Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians


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Canadian Association of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Canadian Dementia Knowledge Translation Network

Canadian Geriatric Society

Canadian Medical Association

Canadian Mental Health Commission

Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation

Canadian Pediatric Society

Canadian Post-M.D. Education Registry

Canadian Psychiatric Association

Canadian Society of Nephrology

Canadian Stroke Network

Canadian Trials Network

Centre for Nursing Studies

Centre for Literacy in Health

Cervical Screening Initiatives Program of Newfoundland

College of Family Physicians of Canada

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland & Labrador

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia

Committee on Accreditation of Continuing Medical Education


Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder of Newfoundland & Labrador

GlaxoSmithKiline

Health Canada

Janeway Research Advisory Committee

Janssen

Lilly

McGill University

McMaster University

McMaster University National Pain Centre

Medical Council of Canada

Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty of Business (Gardiner Centre)

Memorial University of Newfoundland FoM (Various Disciplines and Departments)

Memorial University of Newfoundland School of Pharmacy

Mental Health Commission of Canada


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Mood Disorder Society of Canada

Newfoundland & Labrador Association of Occupational Therapy

Newfoundland & Labrador Physiotherapy Association

Newfoundland & Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research

Newfoundland & Labrador Medical Association

Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Ontario Neurosciences Federation

Ottawa Hospital Research Ethics Board

Ovarian Cancer Canada

Pfizer Canada

Polycom Canada

Provincial Perinatal Program, Eastern Regional Health Authority

Public Health Agency of Canada

Purdue Pharma

Queens University

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Saskatchewan Medical Association

Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education

University of Alberta

University of British Columbia

University of Calgary

Université de Laval

University of Manitoba

Université de Montréal

University of Ottawa

University of Saskatchewan

Université de Sherbrooke

University of Toronto

University of Western Ontario

Valeant Canada


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Where We Are Going in 2013-2014

With a solid network established within the CPD sector both provincially and nationally, PDCS has an ambi-tious year ahead. PDCS is also aligned with the overall Faculty of Medicine Mission that focuses on enhancing the health of the people of Newfoundland & Labrador. Specifically, PDCS will serve as the central provider of CPD, thus fostering lifelong learning for health professionals in this province. Below, programs planned to date and strategic priorities for the coming year (2013-2014) are identified.

Upcoming Programs and Activities for 2013-2014

Live/Onsite CPD

Planning is well underway for Live/Onsite delivery of CPD programs. These include:

� Internal Medicine Refresher � Royal College Regional Advisory Committee 5 Education Session � NLMA: Enhancing Competency in Delivering Primary Care to Physicians (Train-the Trainer) � NLMA Annual General Meeting Continuing Professional Development Program � Medical Graduates’ Society Reunion 2013 � CPD in the City � Dermatology and Wound Care Update: Strategies to Influence Practice � Pathology Program � The Primary Healthcare Partnership Forum (PriFor 2013) - Improving Primary Healthcare Delivery:

Renovating, Remodeling, Rebuilding � Women & Children’s Health Day 2013 � Practical Nutritional Management Tips for Treatment of Obesity in Adults � An Overview of the Management of Chronic Migraines and Chronic Daily Headaches, Including

New Therapies.

Online/Blended CPD

Within the online CPD portfolio, new contracts have been signed with excellent opportunities on the horizon. These include:

� Canadian Stroke Network (Secondary Stroke Prevention and Stroke Rehabilitation) which also includes an approach to offering archived keynote presentations from annual conferences

� Canadian Pediatric Society (Aboriginal Child Health) � Ovarian Cancer Canada (Ovarian Cancer) � Mood Disorder Society of Canada (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and reaccreditation of

Anti-Stigma) � Physician Management and Leadership Program offerings � Getting a Grip on Arthritis (The Arthritis Society)

These projects are in addition to our existing partnership with the CMA which has brought new projects dealing with Social Determinants of Health, Care for the Elderly, Concussion: Identification and Treatment, Diabetes 2, and reaccreditation of existing programs including Health Literacy, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Common Skin Disorders, and HIV. Internal projects include continued work on the Bugs, Drugs, & Shots series, Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), and Cervical Screening.


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Mini-Med School

The FoM Mini-Med School began in February 2004 in the spirit of forging stronger ties with the community and extending the reach of our school by sharing the expertise of our medical faculty. With medicine advancing at a rapid rate, many people are increasingly concerned with maintaining good health and receiving the best treatment possible. Running during May and June (2013), PDCS has offered this excellent opportunity to the general public once again.

Each night, two Faculty members are scheduled to present on areas related to health and medicine. The seminars are intended to explore the scientific basis of topical medical issues followed by a question and answer session. The intended audience will range from high school students who may be interested in medicine as a profession, to seniors with an interest in health and health-related topics.

Thanks to the support of dedicated faculty, the Mini-Med School topics for Spring 2013 offering are as follows:

� Body Works � How We Teach Communication Skills to Medical Students � Canada’s Healthcare System � Palliative Care � Genetics � Diet, Exercise and Smoking Associated with Cancer � Myth busting – What Can We Do To Be Healthy? � Health Care Ethics � What Is It Like For The Doctor To Be The Patient? � Eating Your Way to Health � Superbugs � Watching Closely Those who Sleep: the Role of the Anesthesiologist

Research and Evaluation

The following research and evaluation initiatives are currently in various phases for 2013-2014:

� ongoing needs assessments to support provincial and national CPD programming, including a broad provincial needs assessment in 2014

� ongoing standard evaluations and implementation of the five outcomes evaluation studies previously referenced

� data collection, analysis, and dissemination of the ‘Healthy Physician Aging and Transition to Retirement’ study

� progress in plans for the BPPnl study, i.e. online dissemination of educational material and evalua-tion, pilot of Pharmacy Network data, application for full project funding

� applications for research funding – use of social media, rural critical care training, and others � completion of manuscripts in varying stages of development – Undergraduate Medical Education

(UGME) needs assessment; autism needs assessment, and outcomes evaluation.


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Strategic Priorities for 2013-2014

The implementation of the new FoM Policy on Management of Accredited CME/CPD Activities and External Financial Support has PDCS anticipating the growth and enhancement of many new internal FoM relation-ships. PDCS is currently revamping processes, developing documentation to streamline program develop-ment, and clearly identifying roles and expectations for faculty/staff to ensure successful program delivery.

The lower cost structure for audio conferencing will also result in new partnerships for PDCS, given many public sector organizations, including MUN, the RHAs and other government departments that have reduced travel budgets in effect. PDCS will also be assisting the FoM with the implementation of their unified communications technologies within the new Medical School.

Finally, PDCS will continue to align with the overall FoM Mission of enhancing the health of the people of Newfoundland & Labrador through: fostering lifelong learning by building on the extensive network of partners and collaborators to secure more innovative and enhanced CPD programming; engaging commu-nities through programs like the Mini-Med School; and further development in the research area of outcomes measurement. All these areas of effort will support PDCS in making a difference to the people of Newfoundland & Labrador and beyond.

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