college connection
PEER ADVISORY CONVERSATION
PEER ADVISORY CONVERSATION YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO SELF-REGULATION
The College has introduced the Peer Advisory Conversation ( PAC ), a voluntary pilot program that is underway until 2019 . The goal is to develop a program that instills trust in the quality of care provided by veterinarians . The program will also be a core component of a future mandatory Quality Assurance program .
The College needs your input to ensure the program is relevant , accessible , and acceptable to the profession .
Your input shapes the program !
During the first two phases of the PAC pilot , volunteer veterinarians conversed with a Peer Advisor focused on one of the three areas :
• a Continuing Professional Development ( CPD ) Discussion ,
• a Medical Records Review and a Chart- Stimulated Recall ( CSR )/ Case Based Discussion ,
• or a Non-Technical Skills Discussion .
These focused conversations provided an opportunity to validate the conversation tools prior to launching the full conversation , which begins this fall .
Those who participated in the PAC have been very positive about the supportive nature of the conversation . A top strength of the conversation , reported by both conversation participants and Peer Advisors , was that it was a collaborative process . Participants found the conversation to be thoughtprovoking , and said that the Peer Advisors had good communication skills .
Dr . Jennifer Day , owner of Cabbagetown Pet Clinic and former President of the College , volunteered in the first phase . She completed a conversation focused on the Non-Technical Skills Discussion tool , and has shared her thoughts on the experience :
Tell us about your experience speaking with the Peer Advisor ?
My Peer Advisor began the conversation by telling me that he was a little nervous about our conversation as this was new to him as well . I think that this helped to reinforce that this really was a peer-to-peer exchange and that we hopefully would both have positive experiences to take away from this process . At all times , I felt that the conversation was collaborative .
My Peer Advisor generally followed the Non- Technical Skills Discussion tool that I had reviewed in advance on the website . I never felt as though I was being corrected at any time based on my answers to the questions . He offered some helpful suggestions . As an example , after the conversation , along with my report , I also received an attachment of a sample performance review that he has used for associate veterinarians , which he thought that I might find interesting .
How did the conversation benefit your practice ? ( as a practice owner ; veterinarian in clinical practice )
The process required me to really dig down and explain what I was doing and why . It forced me to reflect and give examples of real life experiences that I have had as a clinician and practice owner . By verbalizing my actions , it helped me to consider what I need to prioritize and what seems to be working well .
When contemplating participating in the PAC , did you have any apprehensions ?
Yes , I think that it is reasonable to have some apprehensions when discussing personal practice issues with the College . I worried about exposing myself to criticism , knowing that my practice may not conform to the way that my peer practices . I also was concerned that I may be asked to have a conversation outside of my current regular scope of practice ( I do not do much anesthesia or surgery ).
Dr . Jennifer Day - Cabbagetown Pet Clinic
I prepared by going onto the CVO website and reviewing the Non-Technical Skills Discussion tool , on which I was advised that my conversation would be based . This helped me to prepare my thoughts especially with respect to current clinical / practice examples .
What did you learn from the conversation ?
My key take away after the conversation was that I am working hard to try to keep relevant and effective , especially in my leadership role in the practice as a veterinarian / owner , and that my efforts are worthwhile . We discussed my strengths as identified by the conversation but also opportunities for ongoing learning .
Why would you encourage other veterinarians to be involved in the Peer Advisory Conversation Pilot Program ?
By taking the time to become involved in the pilot program , veterinarians have the opportunity to give their honest feedback into the process and usefulness of the program directly to the veterinarians and staff at the College . After the conversation , participants are asked for their comments and these are important sources of feedback for further development . Especially as this program may become mandatory , I feel that any opportunity to give our opinion is so important !
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