As CFPC President, I have had the privilege of attending many annual scientific assemblies (ASAs), annual meetings of members (AMMs), and board meetings of the provincial Chapters. While attending these events, I reflect on the unity of purpose between the national office and the provincial Chapters in some domains and some important differences in other areas.
Similarities
Well organized continuing professional development (CPD) events with family physicians and staff who are committed to the success of the event.
The organizing teams for the Family Medicine Forum and Chapter ASA events demonstrate an incredible amount of energy in ensuring that the delivery of the program seems effortless and that things run like clockwork. Family doctors dedicate their time to making these educational events something that will be highly sought after by practising physicians who, in this environment, have a long menu of CPD options to choose from. Staff work many hours to make sure the logistics are attended to, right down to the last detail.
Commitment to high-quality CPD.
Attention to the quality and value of CPD programs is top of mind both nationally and provincially. Care is taken to make sure the topics are relevant, practical, and free from bias.
Family physicians who attend these educational events are also committed to high-quality CPD. They come for the quality; they come because they trust the content; and they respect those who put the programs together.
Excellent engagement of family physicians in governance, direction of committees, and boards.
At these national and provincial meetings, I see family doctors who are truly passionate about the CFPC and the Chapters, and who give up their time to ensure that actions are executed with the organization’s mission, vision, and values in mind. Many have engaged in governance reform, a process that, although rewarding in the end, requires substantial dedication and hard work.
Family physicians’ strong commitment to patients.
No board meeting, AMM, annual general meeting, or CPD event goes by without family physicians discussing how the educational sessions will affect their patients in a very concrete way. With respect to their involvement on national or Chapter boards, the particular strategic goals defined always focus on how to advocate for the best care of their patients.
Uniqueness of Chapters
Topics identified by provincial Chapters are responsive to the needs of those communities.
It is impressive how locally responsive certain topics are at the ASAs. For example, although many sessions address opioid addiction, all sessions are different and address specific at-risk populations in the local areas, as well as broader concepts of the issue. Speakers are knowledgable about local issues and the dialogue is rich.
Resources for events vary greatly.
The ASAs, board meetings, and AMMs all have a different flavour. Some are held in large venues and others are set up as intimate gatherings. Regardless of event setup, all participants demonstrate a passion for the work.
Different learning formats.
The ASA and Family Medicine Forum events have different formats for learning. It was very interesting to hear from ASA organizers that certain formats of CPD delivery resonated with their members and many had experimented with various CPD delivery methods. In addition, timing and location of these events are often very different and reflect the family medicine culture of the province.
Stronger together
I have learned several important things from these experiences. Family doctors are continually striving to be skilled clinicians in areas that respond to the needs of their communities and they will attend CPD sessions that are relevant and practical, and that speak to their way of learning. Family physicians’ involvement in national and Chapter committees, boards, and annual meetings is impressive. Regardless of the stage of their careers, they are all strongly committed to family medicine, embrace leadership roles, and pursue the mission, vision, and goals of our organization with passion. The national CFPC office and the Chapters need to continue to partner in areas of governance, advocacy, and CPD development and delivery. The synergies that exist now and directions for the future will only strengthen the CFPC for all members.
Footnotes
Cet article se trouve aussi en français à la page 526.
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