Congratulations to the new CBD cohort
13 disciplines to launch July 1
It has been a year like no other. Yet, despite the most challenging of circumstances, residency programs across the country continue towards advancing Competence by Design (CBD). On July 1, thirteen more disciplines will launch under a competency-based model of residency education, bringing us a place where 61 per cent of all disciplines are now training under CBD.
LAUNCHING 2021
- Adolescent Medicine
- Adult Cardiology*
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Clinical Immunology and Allergy*
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine*
- Pediatrics
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Pediatric Surgery*
- Respirology (adult and pediatrics)*
- Vascular Surgery*
Another 14 disciplines are actively in workshops developing the framework for each discipline moving forward.
Eight have the aim of meeting the quality and timelines necessary to allow for launch in 2022.
A final 12 disciplines will start workshops in 2021 and 2022.
See the full CBD start, launch, and exam schedule.
CBME model allows residents to progress, despite pandemic
The pandemic has caused delays and adjustments to in-person workshops, which have switched to a virtual format with added support through online learning modules and webinars. While initially all disciplines were scheduled to have completed CBD implementation by 2024, the timelines have now been adjusted by one year to 2025 to compensate.
Despite these national impacts, on a local level, the flexibility in training offered by CBD meant that not one resident in a CBD program was delayed in graduating this year. This is an advantage of the competency-based medical education (CBME) model as, unlike a traditional time-based model, progression was not explicitly linked to counting rotations.
Greatest benefits: Better coaching and feedback for residents
Recent program evaluation surveys indicate 74 per cent of launched programs report that CBD is going well after implementation, compared to 44 per cent in the past. Survey results also show that CBD has led to an increase in meaningful feedback, better decision making, enhanced clarity around the curriculum and competencies, and better coaching for residents.
Two key challenges lie in establishing assessment data support through the electronic portfolio and, in some programs, shifting towards a culture of workplace-based assessment. As many programs have experienced great successes in these areas, we are working towards the sharing of information and best practices, always mindful of the variations in local contexts where a one-size-fits-all approach is not feasible. We continue to develop resources in support of competence committees and entrustable professional activities (EPAs).
Our strength remains our ability to work together
As part of ongoing engagement with key CBD stakeholders, the Royal College continues to meet regularly with members of the postgraduate community, including postgraduate deans, CBME national faculty leads, program directors, and resident groups. Their strategic input and on-the-ground experiences are helping guide required improvements moving forward. We sincerely appreciate the ongoing discussions to facilitate continuous quality improvement of residency training.