Winter 2016 (Volume 26, Number 4)

Update From the Education Committee

By Chris Penney, MD, FRCPC

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A chart audit workshop was held during the most recent Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Lake Louise last February. Dr. Henry Averns was the prime mover of this initiative, but his flight was delayed due to bad weather. Dr. Mary Bell filled in for him at the last minute and did a superb job. Lessons learned from this workshop were used to develop the Chart Audit Library on the CRA website. Please go to rheum.ca/en/members/chart_audit for information on how to do a chart audit.

Remember to check the CRA website in 2017 for more practice improvement tools, such as the standardized transfer of care letter being developed by Dr. Mary-Clair Yelovich (internal medicine resident) under the supervision of Dr. Mary Bell.

If you've conducted a successful audit on your practice, we welcome your contribution for possible inclusion in the CRA Chart Audit Library. As you know, the Royal College requires us all to complete self-assessment (Section 3) activities, and this is an easy and inexpensive way to do this. Don’t hesitate to send audit results to me for distribution to the Education Committee for feedback and suggestions. Reflection on that feedback with resulting changes to your practice is an essential part of a successful chart audit.

CRA Education Committee at the 2016 Lake Louise ASM.

If you have developed a continuing medical education (CME) self-assessment or practice reflection or improvement program that can be shared with your colleagues, please review the terms of reference for the Practice Reflection Award on the CRA website (rheum.ca/en/the_cra/practice_reflection_award). You may qualify for one of three awards given annually. The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2016. If you attended the Lake Louise ASM, you will have likely noticed the successful integration of the pre- and post-knowledge-transfer tests into the program. This is thanks to the work of CRA CEO Christine Charnock and her dedicated staff.

Finally, the Dilemma Rheum is a series of educational teleconferences designed for recently certified rheumatologists and trainees. Each session will feature an expert on a particular topic, who will discuss and answer questions on cases brought forward by participants. Special thanks are due to Dr. Janet Pope for piloting this program. Go to rheum.ca/en/education/dilemma_rheum for more information.

If you have ideas on education that you would like the CRA to develop or facilitate, please go to rheum.ca/en/education/education_suggestion_box and let us know.

Christopher Penney, MD, FRCPC
Associate Clinical Professor,
University of Calgary
Rheumatologist,
Richmond Road Diagnostic & Treatment Center
Calgary, Alberta