college connection
COMPETENCE
RISKS AND SUPPORTS TO CONTINUING COMPETENCE
In the regulated human health professions,
there is an extensive body of research
examining the factors that are seen as risks
to continuing competence for all health
professionals as they move through their
respective careers.
In this, it is important to note that an individual
who confronts a particular risk factor by virtue
of possessing a particular “characteristic”
or belonging to a particular “group” is not
immediately rendered incompetent. Rather,
these risk factors suggest that an individual
who confronts a risk factor is being presented
with a challenge that can be mitigated by
engaging in an appropriate support activity.
Some of the risk factors that have been
identified for other health professionals
include:
• Maintenance of Competence programs
• Professional isolation
• Mentoring
• A change in professional status from
inactive to active
• Quality Improvement activities
• A significant change of focus of practice
Some of these supports address some risks
directly (i.e. a mentoring program addresses
the risk to continuing competence posed by
professional isolation) and some provide a
broader support to continuing competence
(i.e. continuing professional development).
• A new graduate who moves straight into
unsupported practice
• A practitioner who has not been trained in
the country in which he/she is practising
• Age or years since graduation
• Engaging in unprofessional behaviour
Do these risk factors make sense to you? Are
you presented with any of these risk factors in
your professional activities?
These challenges must be addressed through
efforts to maintain competence. There are
numerous supports to competence that are
used in varying degrees by the Colleges
of the regulated health professions. These
supports include:
• Continuing Professional Development
(CPD)
• Peer Interactions
• Continuing Education (CE)
• Reflective activities
The College currently offers some of these
supports to veterinarians. The CPD portal
provides veterinarians with an opportunity to
engage in setting learning/development goals
and reflecting on activities that are undertaken
to help attain those goals.
The College website (www.cvo.org) contains
numerous resources that assist with Quality
Improvement. College workshops and online
webinars assist with Quality Improvement and
the establishment of the College’s developing
Peer Advisory Program is being designed
as a support to continuing competence for
veterinarians.
ACCREDITATION PRESENTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR INNOVATION
continued from page 1
The Accreditation Committee also responds
to applicants seeking an exemption which
restricts their practice to certain species
or activities. Examples would be a foodproducing mobile which is restricted to
a specific species or an equine mobile
restricted to chiropractic.
Licensed members have restricted their
practices in various ways and, when
presented with a factual, scientific explanation
to support the request, the Committee has the
option of exempting the facility from specific
requirements of the Minimum Standards for
Veterinary Facilities in Ontario.
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Generally, an application for an exemption
will make its way to the Committee after a
deficiency has been identified during the
inspection. The deficiency is noted and
the licensed member has the option of
addressing the deficiency or requesting an
exemption. Requests for exemption then go to
the Accreditation Committee which considers
the application and may either approve, reject
or request further information.
The applicant is not required to appear
in person at Committee. If the exemption
is granted, any restrictions on the facility
are added to the Public Register, which
is available publicly through the Find a
Veterinarian feature on the College website.
If you are aware of a deficiency, the College
suggests you contact the accreditation
team to request the exemption prior to the
inspection to expedite the decision from
Committee.
Access to safe care for Ontario animals is the
College’s responsibility, but so is innovation in
relation to the execution of its role.
There are currently more than 1,400 veterinary
practices operating 2,100 facilities (including
mobiles) in Ontario. Ontario veterinarians
demonstrate a commitment to veterinary
health care by meeting the accreditation
requirements and supporting the inspection
program established by the College.