Mainpro

Continuing Medical Education (CME) refers to the process of acquiring new clinical knowledge and skills by practicing family physicians. MAINPRO® (Maintenance of Proficiency) is the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) program that governs the CME requirements of its members.

The information below briefly outlines three categories of the MAINPRO® program. For more details, please visit the CFPC website at www.cfpc.ca and click on the menu heading CME.

MAINPRO®-M1

-Activities such as conferences, hospital rounds and journal clubs often meet the eligibility criteria for MAINPRO®-M1 accreditation.
-The NSCFP accredits MAINPRO®-M1 activities that take place in Nova Scotia.
-To request application forms for MAINPRO®-M1, please contact the Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians by email at admin@nsfamdocs.com or by calling (902) 499-0303.

MAINPRO®-M2

CME activities that do not meet the criteria for MAINPRO®-M1 or MAINPRO®-C programs and courses may be claimed by members for MAINPRO®-M2 credits if they believe it was pertinent to their practice. Examples include:

• Teaching (undergraduate, postgraduate, or CME)
• Presentations and speaking
• Preparation of papers for publication
• Self-learning activities
• Reading (books, journals, monographs)
• Audio and video tapes
• CD-ROM and other computer-based programs
• Accessing most CME available on the Internet

MAINPRO®-C

MAINPRO®-C generally includes group learning activities such as conferences, courses, workshops, scientific assemblies, lectures and seminars that have been reviewed and approved according to the MAINPRO®-C accreditation criteria.
-These activities require more planning and infrastructure than MAINPRO®-M1 accredited activities, and providers must demonstrate a commitment to participants through careful preparation and follow through.
- There is an emphasis on the individual participant by having pre-course individual needs assessments and by emphasizing small group discussions.
- There must be some kind of post-course activity that has the participants reflect critically on what kind of impact the activity had on their practice. The pre and post-course components ensure that the MAINPRO®-C activity is integrated over time directly into one's actual practice.
-To meet the criteria for MAINPRO®C accreditation, programs must be developed and implemented by, or in collaboration with, a recognized educational or medical organization such as a university CME office, a university department of family medicine or a provincial Chapter of the CFPC. 

Click here for the Mainpro application letter.   

Thank you for your interest in applying for Mainpro Accreditation of your program with the Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians.

The following items should be included with your application:

1. The completed quadruplicate application form.

2. Specification on the application form of the number of M-1 Credits being requested.

3. Do not respond with terms such as:  “To be Announced” as accreditation cannot occur on this basis.

4. Include the dates, speakers with brief profiles, evaluation forms, and any other supporting documentation to assist us in fairly evaluating the application.

5. Submit your application 6-8 weeks prior to the program.  It is necessary for the program to be officially approved by the NSCFP before it can be advertised as such.

6. Program follow-up such as: brief overviews, number of attendees, evaluations from attendees, etc. should be forwarded to the Nova Scotia office.

7. Please enclose a processing fee of $300.00 with your application made payable to:

The Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians

Applications approved are valid for one year from the date of the session as it is identified on the quadruplicate form.  

In order for a program to be re-accredited for a new year an accreditation fee of $300.00 is required for every program.  A new quadruplicate application and accompanying documentation must be provided at the end of the reaccredited year.  Accreditation application forms are always available at our Nova Scotia Office, and it is the sole responsibility of the applicant to keep the accreditation up to date.

Please keep copies of your original documentation as there have been some instances where the originals did not arrive at our office.

Our goal is to regulate Mainpro Programs to ensure optimum presentation formats, as well as relevance in addressing the contemporary needs in primary care delivery.

We will strive to accredit your program as efficiently as possible.  Thank you for your interest in lifelong voluntary Continuing Medical Education in family medicine.

Sincerely yours,