Evolving Maintenance of Certification in Canada: A Collaborative Journey

Abstract

Continuous professional development (CPD) is crucial for physicians to maintain and enhance their skills. In response to the changing context of CPD and health care, this study applied a design thinking approach to transform and modernise the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program. A member-wide survey and co-design sessions with physicians, CPD leaders, and patient representatives were conducted, emphasising the importance of their insights and experiences. The data revealed key themes for the programme such as fostering meaningful learning, addressing barriers to CPD, supporting collaboration, and responding to the need for modern, flexible CPD delivery methods. Using “empathy”, “define”, “ideate”, “prototype”, and “test” phases, we continuously refined the MOC framework of CPD activities based on comprehensive user experiences and needs insights. The revised framework was iteratively prototyped and validated to ensure it was user-friendly and aligned with professional and regulatory requirements. The findings underscore the effectiveness of the design thinking approach in creating a dynamic, responsive MOC framework that supports CPD and meets the evolving needs of medical professionals. This approach not only demonstrates the effectiveness of design thinking but also the importance of engaging users in the development process, making them feel valued and integral to the transformation of the MOC Program.

Keywords

• CME
• CPD
• MOC
• life-long learning
• codesign
• design thinking