Dialogue Volume 11 Issue 4 2015 | Page 35

appreciation Specialties organized into networks are invigorating medical regulation P photo: D.W. Dorken Some of the members of the General Surgery network pose outside of the College: (L-R) Drs. Suru Chande, Angus Maciver, Richard Mimeault (seated), Lorraine Tremblay, Manoj Sayal, Tina Williams, and Harry Voogjarv. rofessionally-led regulation is alive and well and invigorating the creation of better, more meaningful peer assessments. Introducing the newest heroes of medical regulation – assessors organized into specialty groups, or networks, and engaged in improving assessments for their peers in the same discipline. Dr. Manoj Sayal, the network lead for general surgery, says it just makes sense. After all, he asks, who could create a more relevant assessment for general surgery than a group of general surgeons? “The profession cannot be assessed with one set template … One body or group cannot efficiently and adequately assess the profession as a whole and therefore it is almost mandatory that each specialty have its own group of designates that help make sure the profession is providing care that meets the best possible standards,” he said. Dr. Sayal says that he enjoys the opportunity to be a network lead because it has allowed him “to be involved in helping shape the way we, as a specialty, evaluate ourselves to provide the best care possible to our patients.” Currently, there are 51 network assessor groups, representing different areas of practice and specialty focus. “This sharing of knowledge and Issue 4, 2015 Dialogue Issue4_15.indd 35 35 2015-12-16 9:36 AM