college connection
PEER ADVISORY CONVERSATION
PEER ADVISORY CONVERSATION YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO SELF-REGULATION
The College has introduced the Peer Advisory Conversation( PAC), a voluntary pilot program that is underway until 2019. The goal is to develop a program that instills trust in the quality of care provided by veterinarians. The program will also be a core component of a future mandatory Quality Assurance program.
The College needs your input to ensure the program is relevant, accessible, and acceptable to the profession.
Your input shapes the program!
During the first two phases of the PAC pilot, volunteer veterinarians conversed with a Peer Advisor focused on one of the three areas:
• a Continuing Professional Development( CPD) Discussion,
• a Medical Records Review and a Chart- Stimulated Recall( CSR)/ Case Based Discussion,
• or a Non-Technical Skills Discussion.
These focused conversations provided an opportunity to validate the conversation tools prior to launching the full conversation, which begins this fall.
Those who participated in the PAC have been very positive about the supportive nature of the conversation. A top strength of the conversation, reported by both conversation participants and Peer Advisors, was that it was a collaborative process. Participants found the conversation to be thoughtprovoking, and said that the Peer Advisors had good communication skills.
Dr. Jennifer Day, owner of Cabbagetown Pet Clinic and former President of the College, volunteered in the first phase. She completed a conversation focused on the Non-Technical Skills Discussion tool, and has shared her thoughts on the experience:
Tell us about your experience speaking with the Peer Advisor?
My Peer Advisor began the conversation by telling me that he was a little nervous about our conversation as this was new to him as well. I think that this helped to reinforce that this really was a peer-to-peer exchange and that we hopefully would both have positive experiences to take away from this process. At all times, I felt that the conversation was collaborative.
My Peer Advisor generally followed the Non- Technical Skills Discussion tool that I had reviewed in advance on the website. I never felt as though I was being corrected at any time based on my answers to the questions. He offered some helpful suggestions. As an example, after the conversation, along with my report, I also received an attachment of a sample performance review that he has used for associate veterinarians, which he thought that I might find interesting.
How did the conversation benefit your practice?( as a practice owner; veterinarian in clinical practice)
The process required me to really dig down and explain what I was doing and why. It forced me to reflect and give examples of real life experiences that I have had as a clinician and practice owner. By verbalizing my actions, it helped me to consider what I need to prioritize and what seems to be working well.
When contemplating participating in the PAC, did you have any apprehensions?
Yes, I think that it is reasonable to have some apprehensions when discussing personal practice issues with the College. I worried about exposing myself to criticism, knowing that my practice may not conform to the way that my peer practices. I also was concerned that I may be asked to have a conversation outside of my current regular scope of practice( I do not do much anesthesia or surgery).
Dr. Jennifer Day- Cabbagetown Pet Clinic
I prepared by going onto the CVO website and reviewing the Non-Technical Skills Discussion tool, on which I was advised that my conversation would be based. This helped me to prepare my thoughts especially with respect to current clinical / practice examples.
What did you learn from the conversation?
My key take away after the conversation was that I am working hard to try to keep relevant and effective, especially in my leadership role in the practice as a veterinarian / owner, and that my efforts are worthwhile. We discussed my strengths as identified by the conversation but also opportunities for ongoing learning.
Why would you encourage other veterinarians to be involved in the Peer Advisory Conversation Pilot Program?
By taking the time to become involved in the pilot program, veterinarians have the opportunity to give their honest feedback into the process and usefulness of the program directly to the veterinarians and staff at the College. After the conversation, participants are asked for their comments and these are important sources of feedback for further development. Especially as this program may become mandatory, I feel that any opportunity to give our opinion is so important!
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