FROM THE REGISTRAR’S DESK
ity management are numbered. We’re already learning
a lot about the factors that put doctors at risk of having
quality issues in their practice. And those risk factors –
such as size and isolation of practice – will have a much
more significant impact on our physician assessment
programs. While we have had good success with our
“every physician every 10 years” approach, I predict
the quality management programs of the future will be
much more tailored to the individual’s particular needs
through the various stages of their careers.
4. Governance structure of professional regulation is
going to look a lot different. At our September Council
making, representatives from the College of Nurses
of Ontario (CNO) provided an overview of a new
governance model envisioned by its Council. In the
model supported by the CNO, a much smaller Coun-
cil would be made up of equal members of the public
and the profession. The Council members would not
be elected; they would instead be appointed based on
merit and expertise. This system is believed to foster
better, more efficient decision-making when it comes
to boards, councils and other governing bodies. And
I believe that it is only a matter of time before we
see these types of changes introduced in professional
health-care governance in Ontario.
5. And finally, I believe the term “self-regulation” is well
on its way to the dustbin of history. In the future, Col-
lege work will no longer be described as “the privilege of
self-regulation,” but instead “the responsibility of medi-
cal regulation.” I predict that this model of regulation
– with direct physician involvement and participation
– will remain the preferred model of regulation among
the profession. It confers a sense of professionalism, and
allows physicians to work with members of the public
to protect the integrity of the profession.
Starting on page 24, we list the names of more than
1200 physicians – all these physicians took the time
away from their busy lives and practices to ensure this
model of regulation remains healthy and viable. I thank
them for their participation.
In closing, I would like to say that serving as the Reg-
istrar of this College for the past 15 years has been the
greatest professional experience of my life. It has been a
true privilege to work with so many talented individu-
als. I applaud you for having the courage to make the
hard choices in the public interest. Thank you for the
opportunity to serve as your Registrar.
MD
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
... continued from page 8
the right conditions is critical for good patient care.
Our goal is to ensure that physicians have the resources
and information they need to safely and appropriately
prescribe opioids to their patients.
When the Narcotics Monitoring System wa