Proactivity keeps health care professionals current
Posted 07-27-2015 at 08:11 AM by DavidRaonic
When you see a health care professional, the certificates on their wall or the designation beside their name tell you that they're qualified to practice. But do you ever wonder if they are keeping up to date? In Ontario, this is mandatory for the regulated health care professions.
The regulators, called colleges, start with rigorous registration requirements. Beyond what it takes to enter a profession, colleges require health care professionals to routinely assess their knowledge and skills, and address any gaps that are found.
“For the sake of the public's well-being and safety, it's essential for health care professionals to remain current,” says Marshall Moleschi, president of the Federation of Health Regulatory Colleges of Ontario (FHRCO). “By continually improving what they know and how they work, these professionals can provide care that's safe, ethical and competent.”
FHRCO includes 23 colleges, which hold member professionals accountable for their practice and conduct. Together, the colleges oversee nearly 300,000 Ontario health care professionals.
All colleges have some form of quality assurance program. In business, this QA typically refers to systems that companies use to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. The goal is to ensure a high-quality and reliable product or process. The same principle applies in the health professions.
For regulated health care professionals, QA can involve professional development related to their practice (and other health care topics), as well as types of performance reviews. In these reviews, health care practitioners must show they understand and comply with the regulations, standards, policies and guidelines of their profession.
Regulated health care professionals also have to take a critical look at their knowledge and skills. That means reflecting on areas for improvement, and creating a learning plan (what they need to learn and by when).
Quality assurance isn't just a way to help health care professionals be as effective as they can. It's also one of the requirements to remain registered with their college, in order to keep practicing in Ontario.
“It's important for patients and clients to be confident in the people delivering their health care,” Moleschi continues. “The colleges' quality assurance programs contribute to that confidence. Health care knowledge is constantly evolving. With QA, people know that their health care provider not only has comprehensive training, but keeps learning to stay on top of what their profession requires.”
The regulators, called colleges, start with rigorous registration requirements. Beyond what it takes to enter a profession, colleges require health care professionals to routinely assess their knowledge and skills, and address any gaps that are found.
“For the sake of the public's well-being and safety, it's essential for health care professionals to remain current,” says Marshall Moleschi, president of the Federation of Health Regulatory Colleges of Ontario (FHRCO). “By continually improving what they know and how they work, these professionals can provide care that's safe, ethical and competent.”
FHRCO includes 23 colleges, which hold member professionals accountable for their practice and conduct. Together, the colleges oversee nearly 300,000 Ontario health care professionals.
All colleges have some form of quality assurance program. In business, this QA typically refers to systems that companies use to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. The goal is to ensure a high-quality and reliable product or process. The same principle applies in the health professions.
For regulated health care professionals, QA can involve professional development related to their practice (and other health care topics), as well as types of performance reviews. In these reviews, health care practitioners must show they understand and comply with the regulations, standards, policies and guidelines of their profession.
Regulated health care professionals also have to take a critical look at their knowledge and skills. That means reflecting on areas for improvement, and creating a learning plan (what they need to learn and by when).
Quality assurance isn't just a way to help health care professionals be as effective as they can. It's also one of the requirements to remain registered with their college, in order to keep practicing in Ontario.
“It's important for patients and clients to be confident in the people delivering their health care,” Moleschi continues. “The colleges' quality assurance programs contribute to that confidence. Health care knowledge is constantly evolving. With QA, people know that their health care provider not only has comprehensive training, but keeps learning to stay on top of what their profession requires.”
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