2019-2020
Strategic Plan:
Key Developments
MISSION
We serve the public by effectively regulating the medical profession.
VISION
Our vision is to be a respected leader that protects the public while supporting the medical profession.
COMMITMENT
Our commitment is to be thorough, clear, decisive, and fair.
VALUES
Our work will reflect the value we
place in:
- Input from the public and the profession;
- Excellence in medical care; and
- Professionalism.
Access to Healthcare
We will support improved access to healthcare through leadership, collaboration, and flexibility.
The Registration Policy Committee of the College continuously examines our approach and criteria for licensure, to ensure that they are supported by evidence, align with national standards, and help to safely meet the needs of Nova Scotians.
With the College providing oversight and collaboration, the Nova Scotia Practice Ready Assessment Program delivered its first cohort of graduates to practice in under-serviced communities.
After extensive consultation with the medical regulatory authorities, the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons is expanding its approach to exam eligibility for internationally trained specialists.
The College continues to examine the role for physician extenders. The College licenses clinical assistants and accredits the 15 programs in which these international medical graduates work. The newly established Clinical Assistant Program for Mental Health and Addictions in the northern and eastern zones is running smoothly. In collaboration with the College, the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery is set to launch a pilot program with physician assistants, the first entry of this ancillary health professional to our province.
The College supports efforts to recruit physicians by sitting on the Nova Scotia Recruitment and Retention Advisory Committee, and participating in local and international recruitment initiatives.
Conflicts of Interest in Medicine
We will direct physicians on how to conduct business ethically and safely.
The delivery of private, uninsured medical services continues to grow. Physicians and their patients require direction from the College on how to safely, fairly, and ethically deliver these services.
The College provided educational presentations to physicians throughout the province on the College’s newly developed set of standards addressing matters of conflict of interest.
The College continues to promote to physicians the professional standards relating to matters arising from the intersection of medical practice with their financial and commercial interests.
Prescribing
We will promote safe and effective prescribing through education and regulation.
The College continues to work closely with the Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program (NSPMP), with Dr. Grant remaining as its Chair. By all measures, the quality of prescribing of opioids and other controlled substances continues to improve in Nova Scotia.
Both the College and the NSPMP are strategically focused on improving the initiation of opioid therapy, recognizing that features of the first prescription contribute to the risk of long term, chronic use. In addition, the NSPMP is now taking on the data of benzodiazepine prescribing and is assessing how best to limit the concurrent prescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids or stimulants.
In collaboration with the College, the College of Pharmacists, and Health Canada, the NSPMP was able to quickly expand the authority of pharmacists to extend existing prescriptions and to accept verbal prescriptions during the time of the pandemic. This is an important development for patients and greatly increases the effectiveness of telemedicine consults.
Sexual Misconduct Complaints
We will serve the public with processes that are progressive, fair, and sensitive to all involved.
The College is grateful to the Canadian Centre for Legal Innovation to Sexual Assault Response (CCLISAR) for its thoughtful and comprehensive review of our processes regarding sexual misconduct. As well, the College thanks all who contributed to the review, including physicians, patients, and the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA).
In keeping with the CCLISAR recommendations, the College has developed a new Professional Standard and Guidelines Regarding Sexual Misconduct by Physicians. The College is grateful for those who participated in the consultation, including hundreds of physicians.
The College has implemented the CCLISAR recommendations, with a view to ensuring our processes are fair, progressive and trauma informed.
Access to Healthcare
We will support improved access to healthcare through leadership, collaboration, and flexibility.
The Registration Policy Committee of the College continuously examines our approach and criteria for licensure, to ensure that they are supported by evidence, align with national standards, and help to safely meet the needs of Nova Scotians.
With the College providing oversight and collaboration, the Nova Scotia Practice Ready Assessment Program delivered its first cohort of graduates to practice in under-serviced communities.
After extensive consultation with the medical regulatory authorities, the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons is expanding its approach to exam eligibility for internationally trained specialists.
The College continues to examine the role for physician extenders. The College licenses clinical assistants and accredits the 15 programs in which these international medical graduates work. The newly established Clinical Assistant Program for Mental Health and Addictions in the northern and eastern zones is running smoothly. In collaboration with the College, the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery is set to launch a pilot program with physician assistants, the first entry of this ancillary health professional to our province.
The College supports efforts to recruit physicians by sitting on the Nova Scotia Recruitment and Retention Advisory Committee, and participating in local and international recruitment initiatives.
Conflicts of Interest in Medicine
We will direct physicians on how to conduct business ethically and safely.
The delivery of private, uninsured medical services continues to grow. Physicians and their patients require direction from the College on how to safely, fairly, and ethically deliver these services.
The College provided educational presentations to physicians throughout the province on the College’s newly developed set of standards addressing matters of conflict of interest.
The College continues to promote to physicians the professional standards relating to matters arising from the intersection of medical practice with their financial and commercial interests.
Prescribing
We will promote safe and effective prescribing through education and regulation.
The College continues to work closely with the Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program (NSPMP), with Dr. Grant remaining as its Chair. By all measures, the quality of prescribing of opioids and other controlled substances continues to improve in Nova Scotia.
Both the College and the NSPMP are strategically focused on improving the initiation of opioid therapy, recognizing that features of the first prescription contribute to the risk of long term, chronic use. In addition, the NSPMP is now taking on the data of benzodiazepine prescribing and is assessing how best to limit the concurrent prescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids or stimulants.
In collaboration with the College, the College of Pharmacists, and Health Canada, the NSPMP was able to quickly expand the authority of pharmacists to extend existing prescriptions and to accept verbal prescriptions during the time of the pandemic. This is an important development for patients and greatly increases the effectiveness of telemedicine consults.
Sexual Misconduct Complaints
We will serve the public with processes that are progressive, fair, and sensitive to all involved.
The College is grateful to the Canadian Centre for Legal Innovation to Sexual Assault Response (CCLISAR) for its thoughtful and comprehensive review of our processes regarding sexual misconduct. As well, the College thanks all who contributed to the review, including physicians, patients, and the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA).
In keeping with the CCLISAR recommendations, the College has developed a new Professional Standard and Guidelines Regarding Sexual Misconduct by Physicians. The College is grateful for those who participated in the consultation, including hundreds of physicians.
The College has implemented the CCLISAR recommendations, with a view to ensuring our processes are fair, progressive and trauma-informed.