Although CAEP was not part of the initial consultation which led to the Outcomes of Training Project (OTP), we are committed to collaborating with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) moving forward in order to represent the emergency medicine perspective in the project’s implementation.

CAEP hopes to be involved in three main areas, in support of excellence in emergency care, as partners in program design, and to assist with highlighting the potential impacts on Emergency Medicine.

Support for Excellence

CAEP’s mission is to champion excellence in emergency medicine including advocating for emergency physicians and their patients, leading emergency medicine education and defining standards for emergency care. CAEP plans to make a significant investment in the collaboration with the CFPC to ensure a successful and well-developed implementation of the Outcomes of Training Project. Emergency care is a crucial part of comprehensive family medicine in many rural and remote communities. We support the goal of ensuring that graduates practicing emergency medicine, regardless of training stream or practice location, are competent and confident in providing high quality care to their very first patient after graduation. Improved graduate readiness for independent practice and increased resourcing of training programs will enhance human resource capability and patient care in all areas of the Canadian context, particularly in underserved areas.

Partners in Program Design

CAEP plans to be involved in ongoing consultations with the CFPC, particularly in the areas that pertain to Emergency Medicine. This includes curriculum development for competency in emergency medicine within the core family medicine program, defining advanced emergency medicine aptitudes particular to the certificate of added competence, and advocacy for increased funding of residency positions.

CAEP continues to see important and distinct roles for the FM, CCFP-EM and the FRCPC-EM programs. We are cognizant of the concerns that members have for the impact that Family Medicine program lengthening will have on funding and appropriate resourcing of the two Emergency Medicine programs. With Canada’s broad geography and diverse needs, highly skilled generalist family physicians, CCFP-EMs, and FRCPC-EMs are essential. All three programs are deserving of increased funding and resident positions to meet our Health and Human Resource (HHR) gaps and we will ensure that our advocacy supports the full spectrum of our membership.

Potential Impacts on EM

We believe there is an important role for CAEP to highlight the potential impacts the OTP implementation may have on emergency care. Canada is in the midst of a nationwide Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine shortage. From primary care availability and integration to Emergency Department closures, overwhelming volumes of care, prehospital offload delays, nursing shortages, and physician burnout, our healthcare system is exhausted. Consequently, it is possible that the implementation of the OTP will result in delays of graduating residents, which may further exacerbate HHR shortages. With an eye to the future, CAEP’s partnership with the CFPC will lead to innovative program changes that improve the care of our patients. We will also work with the CFPC to clarify the roles of EM care providers across the training continuum and minimize the effect of graduation delays.

We support approaching program funders to acknowledge the extended financial and human resources required to expand primary and emergency care networks. These resources will further assist educators as they take on increased training responsibilities and build systems for resident wellness. CAEP believes that there will be anxiety among trainees over increased debt, and delays in other personal or academic endeavors, and we will help to ensure that these concerns are heard and addressed.

CAEP & CFPC Collaboration for Success

To keep the lines of communication open for ongoing collaboration, we have established a CAEP Working Group on the CFPC OTP that includes a diverse panel of emergency physician leaders, educators and learners who bring unique and important perspectives. This working group will serve as a liaison between our membership and the CFPC Education Taskforce that is implementing the project. Through regular meetings and direction from the taskforce, the working group will further articulate specific solutions for the key areas of the OTP that will impact emergency care and our close relationship with primary care. As we develop these solutions, we will spend time listening to the concerns of our membership and we will be in touch with methods for engagement and feedback.

Thank you.

The CAEP Board of Directors

For Inquiries please contact:

Christina Bova Director, Member Engagement and Advocacy

cbova@caep.ca 613-523-3343 X17