Activities and Initiatives

Educational Activities & Initiatives

In Study Lies Our Strength

The Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) remains committed to its original medical education mandate.

Support for the University Departments of Family Medicine

The OCFP continues to be closely linked to the five southern medical universities and has been a strong supporter of a true pan-northern university . The OCFP contributes to the undergraduate and post-graduate medical education programs in family medicine in a number of different ways. The OCFP has established a number of committees to foster information sharing and joint problem-solving between the OCFP and the medical universities. The Chairs of the Departments of Family Medicine meet as a committee of the OCFP and academic medicine is represented as a member of the OCFP's Executive Committee of the Board. Program Directors, Care of the Elderly Directors and other leaders of academic family medicine meet under the auspices of the OCFP to share expertise, resources and to problem-solve. The Residents Committee provides similar opportunities for residents. Links have been established with the continuning medical education departments at each university and with other organizations for the purpose of developing and extending the reach of innovative continuing professional development programs. As one of the co-founders of the Foundation for Medical Practice Education, the OCFP remains involved and supportive of the Foundation and the family physicians of Ontario who actively participate in the small group and self-learning activities fostered by the Foundation.

The Annual Scientific Assembly

In the fall of each year, the OCFP hosts a conference that is one of the largest scientific assembly of family physicians in Canada. The ASA is normally held in Toronto and provides an extensive educational program consisting of a wide variety of topics and activities. The event has become extremely popular amongst medical students, residents and family doctors thanks to the high quality of the educational activities and the opportunities for networking and participation in events such as the OCFP's Annual General Meeting, the inauguration of the new OCFP President and the ever popular Members Forum. The event has become a "must-do" for family doctors.

Peer Presenter Programs

In 1992, the OCFP pioneered the development of an innovative peer presenter program. The program includes the development of a Mainpro® program on a topic of interest to family physicians and the training of selected family doctors in the program content so that they can return to their communities and provide workshops and support to their peers. Some of the topics previously presented and currently available are as follows:

  1. The Management of Sexual Abuse/Spousal Assault (SASA) (1993 & 1995)
  2. HIV/AIDS (1993, 1994 & 1995)
  3. Palliative Care (1992 & 1995)
  4. Navigating Change: Stress Management for Physicians (1997)
  5. Complementary & Alternative Medicine (1999)
  6. Healthy Child Development (2000) *
  7. Environmental Health (2000) **
    * supported by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
    ** supported by the Laidlaw Foundation, and Health Canada

The OCFP is currently involved in the development and delivery of the following programs and initiatives

* supported by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care
** supported by the Ontario Women's Health Council
*** supported by internal OCFP funds
**** supported by grants from the Change Foundation , the Richard Ivey Foundation
***** supported by the Ministry of Children & Youth Services

These programs begin with a needs assessment, a review of the literature and wherever possible are developed based on the Guidelines Advisory Committee process.

Mainpro® Programs

Members are required to participate in a continuing professional development program. To ensure that CME programs provide quality education for family doctors, the CFPC, the OCFP and the medical universitites review and accredit Mainpro® programs. During the past year, the OCFP has reviewed and provided accreditation for more than 400 Mainpro® M1 programs. All programs developed by the OCFP must meet Mainpro® accreditation standards . The OCFP maintains a list of Mainpro®-M1 programs being offered in Ontario