Modernizing
the Practice
of Veterinary
Medicine
QUALITY
ASSURANCE
•Mandatory Quality
Assurance Program•
Existing Provisions
There are no provisions related to quality assurance in the Veterinarians
Act.
What Change is Proposed?
It is proposed that the Veterinarians Act be amended to provide for a man-
datory quality assurance program for veterinarians. Key elements of the
proposed concept include:
• Provisions related to the powers of the Quality Assurance
Committee, which include the power to:
• require a member to participate in a program designed to
assess his or her knowledge, skill and judgment
• require a member whose knowledge, skill or judgment have
been assessed or re-assessed, and found to be unsatisfactory,
to participate in remediation activities as defined by the Quality
Assurance Committee
• direct the Registrar to impose or remove terms, conditions
or limitations for a specified period on a member’s license in
certain defined circumstances
• Provisions stipulating co-operation with the Quality Assurance
Committee and any advisors it appoints, which would include
providing any information requested by the Committee or an
advisor.
• Provisions relating to the confidentiality and use of information
obtained by the Quality Assurance Committee or its advisors
Why is the College Considering Changes to this Concept?
The Veterinarians Act does not currently have any provisions related to
quality assurance. Most professions, including veterinary medicine in North
America, speak to at least some elements of continuing competence in
legislation.
Mandatory quality assurance has been demonstrated to be an effective
regulatory tool to ensure the ongoing quality and safety of professionals in
practice in the province and to support them in maintaining competence
throughout their careers. A mandatory quality assurance programs for
veterinarians would allow quality assurance advisors to collaborate with
veterinarians to assess those areas where development of additional knowl-
edge, skills and judgment may be appropriate, and assure veterinarians
and the public that veterinarians practise in a manner consistent with the
College Standards of Practice. Further, it would provide a positive learning
experience and be a useful tool to allow the College to identify and pro-
vide support and resources to areas where data demonstrates higher risks
to animal care delivery.
26 Achieving a Modern Approach to the Regulation of Veterinary Medicine in Ontario