CADTH Project to Optimize Medical Isotopes and Other Imaging Modalities
Item 4
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS
Staff Report to CAMRT Board of Directors
February 2012
Advocacy, Communications and Events
Leacy O’Callaghan-O’Brien (LOO), Director
Ruta Klicius, Manager of Conferences and Events
Lise Hodgson, Sponsor and Exhibit Sales (On contract)
Carly McCuaig, Manager of Publications
Kate Slean, Communications Coordinator
Education
Elaine Dever (ED), Director
Erica Baker, Coordinator, Certification (on leave)
Agnesa Terziyska, Coordinator, Certification
Melanie Berube, Manager, Professional Development
Giulia Nastase, Project Manager, Internationally-educated MRTs
Francine Caron, Administrative Coordinator, Professional Development
Executive Bureau
Charles Shields (CS), CEO
Myrtle Shields, Coordinator, Executive Bureau
Finance and Administration
Michelle Charest (MC), Director
Vacant, Receptionist/Office & Membership Assistant
Chor Yee Chan, Finance Officer
Nigel Flear, IT/Web Manager
Lisa Liu, Administrative Coordinator, Finance and Administration
Shaely Williams, Member Relations Manager
Professional Practice
Mark Given (MG), Director
Chris Topham, Researcher, Writer
Phyllis Williams, Coordinator, Professional Practice
The initials in bold at the beginning of item being reported indicated the staff director who provided the report.
Goal 1: CAMRT will ensure that MRTs are prepared to practice in an evolving health care system and environment of rapid technology change.
Objectives:
1.1 To validate that the competency profiles for each discipline are up to date and reflect current practice and emerging changes in practice and technology. ED
Work is progressing on the competency profile revisions. The workgroups met for 4 days Jan 20- 23, 2012 with the consultant David Cane. The management of the large amount of data is providing a challenge, however a format has been developed for the revision process. Work has progressed as per the work-plan on all modules both core and discipline-specific. As well work is being done on the introduction to the profile to provide more focused information on the definition of competency, use of performance environments and weighting of competencies (competency levels).
David and I are in the process of reviewing all revisions made at the January meeting. There are teleconferences scheduled in early March with each group to finalize a draft that will be translated and sent in April to all programs and regulators for feedback on content. This feedback will be used to develop the next draft and at that time another survey will occur reaching all other stakeholders for their input.
1.2 To assist Canadian MRT education programs to adjust to the changing environment ED
The Preceptor Guidelines are posted on the CAMRT website. The communication plan is being implemented with notices to other associations, education programs, regulators, provincial associations. An article is being prepared for the next CAMRT Newsletter.
On the recommendation of the Education Advisory Council (EAC) a focus group is being established to discuss MR issues. This is being lead by Maria Body, the MR representative on the EAC, in consultation with the Director of Education. It has been noted that MR exam results have fallen over the past 2 years; as well there are similar concerns across programs on a number of issues regarding criteria for intake, distance clinical placements and other issues. All programs have gratefully supported this initiative. This will be conducted by teleconference with the first meeting being arranged for early March.
1.3 To provide CPD opportunities which meet the needs of the membership and reflect current practice and emerging practice and technological changes ED
CPD registrations for the winter 2012 have exceeded expectations. We are over budget by 71 full length courses. The IR 2 course was available for winter 2012 and the workgroup is now developing the summary of clinical experience. This will complete the development of the specialty certificate.
QSS in development are
· Transitioning from the Front Line to Leadership Roles for Technologists
· SPECT / CT
· Applications of Medical Laboratory Tests in Nuclear Medicine Technology
· Clinical Cancer Research
Full length Course
· PET course with CT applications
The pilot project for offering final exams for full length courses online was successful. Feedback from candidates was very positive. CAMRT will move ahead and offer more exams online in 2012.
1.4 CAMRT develops formalized mechanisms to keep abreast of changes within the medical radiation technology professions MG and CS
The CAR Board discussed this possibility during their meeting in January. They will be developing an internal group on which they want CAMRT participation. C. Shields and A. Fifield, the CAR CEO, have discussed this and it appears there is openness to having the CAR internal group meet with the group we will need to develop. In addition to sharing information, this group would also plan for a joint ‘future scanning’ symposium, possibly in the fall of 2013.
1.5 To establish advanced practice roles for MRTs MG
Advanced Practice Framework
Following the meeting of the Advanced Practice Framework Committee in the fall, the CAMRT staff has been acting on their recommendations to research and construct a draft framework. This draft framework will be the subject of review at the upcoming Advanced Practice Framework meeting planned for March 26 and 27, 2012.
Advanced Practice Certification
The Advanced Practice Certification Competency Profile Working Group met for a one-day meeting in December to review the draft competency profile. Following the meeting, the profile was adjusted and has been converted into a survey to be sent to a panel of radiation therapists from across Canada for validation purposes. This survey is expected to be sent and compiled within the next few weeks. Once validated and set, the competency profile will inform the Certification Process Working Group in their decisions regarding methods and mechanism for national certification of Advanced Practice Radiation Therapists.
1.6 To have available for Canadian MRTs a comprehensive set of guidelines that define evidence-based best practice MG
Best Practice Guidelines
The Best Practice Guidelines Committee has been working to the plan set out at the fall meeting of all groups for the production of outlines and draft guidelines. A meeting of the Core Guidelines Committee was held in Ottawa on Feb 20 and 21, 2012. Discussions there focused on the progress of the work and the steps required to ensure a high quality product and presentation for the unveiling of the BPGs at the upcoming ISRRT Congress. Multiple guidelines were discussed in end-stage review at the meeting, and nine were approved (with minor changes) for immediate external review. The group also recommitted to the target of publishing guidelines from two large segments of the guidance (Patient Care and Quality of Care (32 in total) and drew up a plan for the months leading up to the congress to ensure targets are met.
The board of directors can expect the next group of guidelines to be presented to them electronically in mid April with a second, larger group of guidelines to be presented in mid to late May. The Best Practice Guideline Committee will also be presenting a recommendation for making the guidelines website available publicly. This recommendation will need to be reviewed by the board before the soft launch at the 2012 AGC and World Congress.
1.7 To provide opportunities which will address the IEMRTs needs ED
CAMRT is in the process of finalizing the project on National Assessment Standards. The final report is being reviewed by committee members and after translation will be available the end of March.
For the exam preparatory course project, the courses are undergoing a final review and will be ready to offer by late spring this year.
CAMRT received funding from HRSDC to offer these courses free to IEMRT’s eligible to write the certification exam over the next 3 years. We are in the process of developing a communication plan to identify candidates.
Another project proposal for revision of the CAMRT online practice exams submitted to Health Canada for funding is under review and feedback is expected by mid March.
Assessing the Workforce Integration of
Internationally Educated Health Professional (MG)
This project wrapped up in January 2012 and the final report was release on February 7th 2012. The report highlights qualitative and quantitative research and examines the extent to which IEHPs have become integrated into their respective occupations relative to their Canadian educated (CEHP) counterparts. The participating organizations included;
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (project lead) and the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario,
Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists
Canadian Association of Physiotherapy Regulators
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapist
Canadian Pharmacists Association
The methodology included conducting 21 focus groups (14 with IEHPs and 7 with CEHPs) in centres across Canada, in which a total of 118 individuals participated. Based on the key themes evidenced during these sessions, an online survey was drafted, to which 1,123 (203 IEHPs and 920 CEHPs) individual in the target group responded.
The key finding included;
· 87% of both groups indicated overall “satisfaction” with their current job, after becoming licensed and participating in their workforce.
· IEHPs demonstrated a relatively higher level of satisfaction within specific aspects of their career, compared with their CEHP counterparts.
· Never seven out of 10 IEHP respondents said that their current employer was doing a “good” or “excellent” job with regards to successfully incorporating and recognizing their skills and abilities.
· 73% of IEHPs felt that their overseas training was ultimately “very useful” in the Canadian context.
· Over 50% of IEHP survey respondents indicated the desire for additional education and training related to areas such as certification/licensing exams and Canadian/provincial laws and regulations, among others.
The full report will be added to the website by the end of February. We are also looking into other areas in which we can continue to collaborate with the partner organizations going forward.
Goal 2: CAMRT will strengthen the identity, position and voice of the medical radiation technology profession.
Objectives:
2.1 To position MRTs as respected, caring professionals who are recognized within the healthcare system for their high level of expertise and sought after for discussions and decisions in the health sector. LOO
The rollout of activities for the Image of Care campaign for this and the coming years continues. In development are the 2012 media advertising campaign, a corporate brand champion program, and further integration of the Image of Care messaging and graphics with MRT Week. Presentations on the campaign are scheduled for the MAMRT conference in April and the ISRRT world congress/AGC in June. A media relations strategy to maximize the potential of the campaign, along with our anniversary year, World Congress/AGC and MRT Week 2012 is in place.
2.2 That CAMRT is recognized as the authoritative voice sought after for expert commentary on all relevant issues by government, media and other key stakeholders. LOO
On Tuesday, December 13, Chuck Shields and Leacy O’Callaghan-O’Brien met with MP Patrick Brown, CPC, Barrie. MP Brown initiated a private members bill, C-314, an Act respecting the awareness of screening among women with dense breast tissue. Mr. Brown briefed us on his interest in this issue, and his expectations for the Bill’s progress. The meeting allowed us to share with him some perspectives on our members ‘expertise in breast screening. His bill has now gone through committee and is back before the House of Commons; progress is being monitored.
The meeting provided the opportunity to share the plan for Medical Imaging Team Day with MP Brown, and to briefly explain how we have selected the topic of appropriateness as the theme for the day. We accepted his kind offer to work with us to coordinate recognition in the House of Commons that day, and to assist us in our planning for events on the Hill that day.
Chuck was approached on February 22 by the Privy Council Office (PCO) to see if we would comment on a new federal pilot program that will provide financial assistance to internationally-educated professionals who are seeking to become qualified to work in Canada. We developed a press release, which was distributed to national press, with a copy going to the PCO.
Plans are proceeding for Medical Imaging Team Day , May 17, 2012. The team will hold a media conference on Parliament Hill, at which time the theme paper on Appropriateness will be released and presented to MPs .As noted elsewhere, MP Patrick Brown has agreed to assist with this, and to arrange for an announcement in the House of Commons that day.
Goal 3: CAMRT will strengthen the culture of professionalism among MRTs.
Objectives:
3.1 To enhance MRTs’ understanding of professionalism MG
Implementation of the activities related to this objective have not yet been started.
3.2 To strengthen the understanding of MRTs of, and appreciation for, the importance of belonging to their professional association. MC
Implementation of the activities related to this objective have not yet been started.
3.3 To strengthen MRTs’ understanding of, and appreciation for, the importance and value of lifelong learning. Several
The MoC/CPD guidelines project is proceeding as per the work-plan. The final face-to-face meeting of the workgroup will take place April16-18, 2012. Any further meeting requirements can be conducted by teleconference. The document prepared by the group discusses self-assessment, reflective practice, development and maintenance of a professional portfolio, developing categories for assessment of CPD activities, timeframe suggestions, and audit processes and much more. As well, samples of templates/forms to help record activities are also provided. This project will be completed in the fall of this year.
3.4 To grow CAMRT membership MC
Over the term of the previous strategic plan, ending December 31, 2011, the CAMRT’s full practice membership grew by 7.53%/776 members (excluding Quebec). However, looking at total practicing MRTs in both Alberta and Ontario, where CAMRT membership is optional, the percentage who opted to join CAMRT increased by just 0.43%/ in Alberta. In Ontario, it actually decreased by 1.08% despite CAMRT ON membership increasing by 151 members. This means the total number of practicing MRTs in Ontario increased by a greater amount than our membership over the same period. This is the more important figure. Responses to the 2011 omnibus member survey will be cross-tabulated by province to inform more targeted recruitment and retention plans by province.