PARAphrase Fall 2012

PARAphrase/PARA & the FMEC recommendations
Resident Physicians have a Role
to Play in the Future of Medical Education in Canada
The Future of Medical Education in Canada (FMEC) is a
comprehensive suite of projects focused on ensuring that Canada’s
medical education system continues to meet the changing needs
of Canadians, both now and into the future. To date, projects on
both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education have
been explored. PARA members were involved primarily in the
latter project; they participated in town halls on the subject and the
organization submitted two rounds of feedback based on board and
general member contributions solicited through the PARA E-blast.
Based on broad, consultative input, the FMEC project developed
ten recommendations for postgraduate medical education. Of these
recommendations, resident physicians and PARA can play a role in
most of them, but we’ll focus on just four of them here:
Ensure the Right Mix, Distribution, and Number of Physicians to
Meet Societal Needs
One of the many reasons that PARA provides funding for the
Coalition for Cellphone-free Driving initiative that sends medical
students out to rural schools to discuss the risks of distracted
driving is to expose students in rural areas to the idea of medicine
as a career. Building bridges for underrepresented students into
medicine is becoming increasingly important.
Create Positive and Supportive Learning and Work Environments
This recommendation is the one that individual resident physicians
have the most influence over. The attitude we bring to work and
how we interact with those around us can have a huge impact on
the experience of both ourselves and the health professionals with
whom we work. Our relationships with our teams can positively
influence the atmosphere in which patients are treated.
PARA’s approach to resident physician duty hours is all about
building this supportive learning and working environment.
Duty hour reforms need to be managed responsibly to ensure
that resident physicians’ relationships with their preceptors are
safeguarded, the wellness of all care providers is respected, and
reforms suit the specific needs of the service and the site, while
allowing for optimized training. To this end, PARA has been
building a database of the designs of alternative call systems
currently in practice in Alberta and best practices for the
development of these systems to serve as resources for programs
exploring the idea of an alternative call system. For more
information, please contact the PARA office.
Develop, Support, and Recognize Clinical Teachers
As well as seeking out opportunities to become better teachers
themselves, resident physicians can influence the job satisfaction
To see the complete report on the FMEC Recommendations, visit
http://www.afmc.ca/future-of-medical-education-in-canada/
postgraduate-project/pdf/FMEC_PG_Final-Report_EN.pdf.
For more information on PARA’s submission to FMEC, please visit the
PARA website at http://www.para-ab.ca/upload/files/docs/Policy%20
Documents/Future%20of%20Medical%20Education%20PGME%20
PARA%20Final.pdf.
of their preceptors. A few words to acknowledge how much we
appreciate a particular teaching moment or the way a preceptor is
able to bring clarity to a difficult concept is one way we can support
our teachers every day. Moreover, each year, PARA recognizes
educators who go above and beyond in terms of clinical teaching
and resident physician well-being. Some programs, the universities,
the Canadian Association of Internes and Residents, the Canadian
Medical Association, the Royal College, and the College of Family
Physicians of Canada, among others, all offer awards to recognize
gifted teachers. Consider nominating one of your preceptors today;
there is no better thank you.
Foster Leadership Development
Recognizing that resident physicians have a role to play in the
future of medicine, medical education, and our health-care system
also means recognizing that leadership and advocacy require
a specific skill set and, often, specialized training. The PARA
Leadership Weekend is an annual conference that seeks to provide
resident physicians with the skills they need to take on greater
leadership roles inside and outside the hospital. This conference is
supplemented by shorter sessions either in person or by webinar
and dinners with medical leaders. Keep your eye on the PARA
E-blast for more information.
PARA
Preliminary Conference Information
Date: Saturday, December 1
& Sunday, December 2
City: Edmonton
Details: Shared accommodation will be
arranged and accommodation and travel
expenses will be reimbursed.
LEADERSHIP
CONFERENCE
PARA is excited to announce our seventh annual
Leadership Conference, presented by the Schumacher
Research and Leadership Group.
create your opening
Focus of Conference:
• Leadership
• Advocacy
• Communication
• Negotiation
To Apply:
There are a limited number of spaces
available; to qualify for one of the spots,
please provide a one-page submission of no
more than 300 words detailing who you are,
your past leadership experience, and your
interest in the opportunity to para@para-ab.ca
before Friday, November 16.
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PARAphrase | volume 29 fall 2012