Head, Heart & Hands-On Leadership - College of Licensed Practical ...

• have appropriate postgraduatetraining - including a minimumof 24 months for family or generalpractice, and 48 months ofdiscipline-specific training forspecialists.Further details on registrationrequirements are available on theCollege’s website at cpsa.ab.ca.* Foundation for the Advancement ofInternational Medical Education and Research.We ensure competentphysicians throughouttheir careersTo maintain an Alberta practice permit,Alberta physicians must be enrolled incontinuous professional development(CPD) which includes the ongoingacquisition of new knowledge, skillsand attitudes to maintain and improvecompetency.Physicians must also participate inthe College’s Physician AchievementReview (PAR) Program. The PARProgram gives physicians feedback ontheir performance. Every five years, aphysician distributes a survey to his orher patients, physician colleagues andnon-physician health care co-workers.DISTINCTIONS YOUSHOULD KNOWNot all doctors are physiciansThe term “doctor” does not alwaysmean “medical doctor”. The term“doctor” may refer to academiccredentials or to another type of healthprofessional, such as a dentist orchiropractor. Non-medical doctors whoare not regulated by the CPSA do nothave permits to practise medicine.CPSA vs. AMAThe College of Physicians & Surgeonsof Alberta (CPSA) is often confusedwith the Alberta Medical Association(AMA) but there is a clear distinction.The CPSA serves the public by guidingthe medical profession. It acts as theregulatory body ensuring physiciansmeet standards of practice and ethicalconduct. The AMA stands as anadvocate for its physician members,providing leadership and support fortheir role in the provisionof quality health care.The survey covers topics such as medicalcompetency, communication skillsand office management. The resultsgive physicians a benchmark for goodperformance, and identify opportunitiesfor professional development andpractice improvement.The College’s Assessment andCompetency Enhancement (ACE)department also ensures physiciancompetency by coordinating a varietyof clinical assessments including:• Practice Readiness Assessments• Return to Practice Assessments• Change in Scope of PracticeAssessments• Peer Review AssessmentsThese efforts ensure that after theCollege issues a practice permit,physicians remain competentthroughout their medical careers.CollaborationThe College believes that workingclosely and collaboratively with otherhealth care professionals improvesaccess to and delivery of healthservices. Collaboration also creates anopportunity to share knowledge andskills, to communicate more openlyand regularly, and to better respond topatients in a timely fashion.Alberta’s health professions mustcontinue to look for opportunities toleverage the resources of each other aswe share the common goal of improvingthe health of patients.After all, the Alberta governmentdesigned the Health Professions Actto regulate health professions using amodel that allows for collaboration.Most important to the College is thatall health care professionals have thenecessary training, knowledge andskills required to provide safe andeffective care to patients.Self-regulation: Serving thepublic by guiding the medicalprofessionWe believe good medical practice startswith the privilege of self-regulation andthe College is committed to influencingpublic policy that is important to thehealth of Albertans, and ensuringonly skilled, professional and ethicalphysicians are practising in Alberta.If Alberta physicians continue toprovide quality patient care in aprofessional and ethical manner, theywill continue to earn the trust of theirpatients and, subsequently, the ongoingprivilege of self-regulation. nFor more information about registeredphysicians in Alberta, contact theCollege of Physicians & Surgeonsat cpsa.ab.ca, info@cpsa.ab.ca,or 780-423-4764.26 care | VOLUME 26 ISSUE 2