The Division of CPD is involved in a number of research initiatives designed to help us learn how to better educate those working in the healthcare field. The following is a list of research presently in progress:

Continuing Medical Education Needs Assessment of Rural Specialists

Due to their small numbers and geographic distribution rural specialists encounter particular barriers to participating in continuing professional development activities. This study will provide valuable information about the educational needs of rural specialists and how to more effectively deliver CPD programs to this audience.

Investigators: François, J., Toews, J. Rhodes, C.

Funding: Internal

Teaching Residents to Teach: An Evaluation of Residents’ Teaching Skills

New curriculum and evaluation tools have been designed to ensure that all residents that serve as teachers or teaching assistants receive training and feedback on their teaching activity. This study will assess the impact of this intervention on quality of teaching and attitudes of residents towards teaching.

Investigators: François, J., Hamilton, J., Fleisher, W., Rhodes, C.

Funding: Internal

 Will residents who follow a curriculum for lifelong learning be better prepared for independent, self-directed learning as practicing physicians?

This research project will assess if a curriculum for lifelong learning will assist residents in making a successful transition from directed learning during residency to self-directed learning in clinical practice. This longitudinal study will assess the attitudes of residents, newly qualified physicians and established physicians towards lifelong learning and whether the length of residency program influence attitudes towards lifelong learning and if physician attitudes towards lifelong learning change with exposure to clinical practice This project also seeks to understand the role of the CME/CPD offices in preparing students and residents to effectively manage their future professional development. 

Investigators: François, J., West, M., Pope, B., Sigurdson, E., Hamilton, J., Rhodes, C.

Funding: Internal & awaiting grant agency response

KT-CPD evidence network

Within Canada, both CPD and KT fields are highly developed, but they have worked mainly in isolation. CPD researchers and knowledge-users have not explicitly used the KTA cycle. The rationale for the EVIDENCE network is to enable collaboration of 2 groups - CPD knowledge-producers ( KT and CPD researchers) , and CPD knowledge-users (CPD deans and directors, partner organizations, accreditors) - to ensure that more evidence-based strategies are integrated into CPD interventions nationally; i.e., develop an integrated knowledge translation approach to improving the dissemination and application of KT and CPD research knowledge.  The project’s goals are to identify enabling factors for relationship-building and collaboration among KT and CPD researchers and CPD knowledge users; and to clarify and synthesize the evidence which currently informs the KTA cycle.

Investigators: Multi-site. Site representation: Francois, J.

Funding: CIHR grant application

Evaluation of the International Medical Graduate Mentorship & Clinical Enhancement Program

Using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, this study will seek to assess the impact of this 3 year-old program on IMGs, mentors, and community practices.

Investigators: Seo, B., François, J., Polimeni, C., Toews, J.

Funding: Internal

 Canadian- Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (CAN-ECHO) project

The main objective this multi-centre project is to investigate the need for and the feasibility of adapting the ECHO model to the Canadian health care system. This model involves the use inter-professional virtual clinics (via tele-health) from a model called the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO). The project seeks to understand how the CAN-ECHO environment can support teaching, learning and the reported transfer of knowledge to clinical practice of a specific chronic disease. Sub -questions include:  What are effective teaching strategies to support learning and reported transfer of knowledge to clinical practice? and  does the availability of an archived electronic patient-case support ongoing CPD for the rural health professionals? 

Investigators: Luconi, F. (McGill), François, J.(Manitoba),  Boucher, A (Montreal)

Funding: undetermined

_________________________________________________________
Studies Completed

Weighting CanMEDS Roles and Competencies

The purpose of this study is to obtain a weight score for each of the CanMEDS roles and key competencies to be used as the framework for the Manitoba Practice Assessment Program. Ultimately the tools will be used to determine the competencies of a sub-set of physicians applying for registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba. See more...

Investigators: Stutsky, B., Singer, M., Renaud, R.

Funding: Internal

A Pan-Canadian Inventory of Physician Assessment, Enhancement, and Remediation Activities

The purpose of this descriptive research project is to identify the various physician assessment, enhancement, and remediation activities being undertaken by regulatory authorities and university Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Units in Canada. See more...

Investigators: Stutsky, B., Francois, J., Singer, M., Lockyer, J. (Calgary), Sargent, J.(Dalhousie).

Funding: Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada