HOW TO RUN A SMALL GROUP

PROGRAM

NOTE: AS OF MAY 1, 2007 THIS PROGRAM IS NO LONGER ACCREDITED; HOWEVER, THE MATERIALS REMAIN ACCESSIBLE ON THE WEBSITE.

Do you have an existing group of physicians (or other healthcare providers) who get together to discuss cases or to learn together?  Are you interested in starting a small group program in your community and would like educational material around end-of-life care?  

The Ian Anderson Continuing Education Program in End-of-Life Care is fully accredited for physician small group problem-based learning by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.  Each module is accredited for two hours of MAINPRO-C by the CFPC and is an Accredited Group Learning Activity under Section 1 of the Framework of CPD options for the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College. 

Small groups are comprised of 10 or fewer participants and should be interactive at least 60% of the time to qualify for MAINPRO-C credits.  Pre-tests must be distributed for each module and returned to the facilitator by the start of the relevant session.  Two to three months after the last session a post-test is to be completed and returned to the facilitator.  Pre- and post-tests for all modules presented are then returned to the Anderson Program offices along with an attendance chart and a participant contact list.  Accreditation letters will then be issued to each physician for the module sessions in which they participated (facilitators may receive credits the first time they run a session on each module). Please contact the Anderson Program office when you are starting up a small group program to discuss how you plan to roll it out in your community.

Please contact our office to obtain the pre- and post-tests by e-mail or on disk and to discuss any other requirements.  The session evaluation form to be filled out by participants can also be e-mailed.  The modules and PowerPoint presentations for use by facilitators are available free of charge on the website in PDF files.

Other individuals or groups of healthcare providers are welcome to use the modules in their teaching and learning.  While not required, pre- and post-tests may be completed as an indicator of needs and level of knowledge before and after the program.  Group size restrictions also do not apply for non-physician courses. 

Please note that any funding arrangements made to support small groups must comply with Canadian Medical Association regulations.

 STEPS TO TEACH AN IAN ANDERSON PROGRAM MODULE

1. Do a needs assessment: ask members of your community/practice/hospital what area of end-of-life (EOL) care they would like to explore (contact the Anderson Program for a needs assessment form)

OR

choose a module you would like to concentrate on – this can be because you feel most comfortable teaching in this area.

2. If the aim is to obtain MAINPRO C credits – see requirements for eligibility for MAINPRO-C credits on the Anderson Program website – for your small group teaching, contact the Anderson Program for the pre-test for the given module. You will need to keep the Anderson Program informed of your educational activity plans/organization/attendance to ensure you meet the CCFP requirements for MAINPRO-C

OR

If the aim is to receive Royal College section 1 credits, follow the requirements outlined by the Royal College Maintenance of Certification program. You will need to keep the Anderson Program informed of your educational activity plans/organization/attendance.

3. For MAINPRO-C, administer the pre-test A MINIMUM of 3 weeks in advance of your planned activity. This will allow sufficient time for you to receive your participants’ replies and adjust the content of your learning activity as required.

4. Arrange a meeting room for your small group learning activity. Environment should be one that is suitable for small group learning.

5. Circulate the chosen module to your small group a few days before your educational activity – exclude the detailed case discussion found at the end of the module. (Minimum time requirement to read: 1 hour.)

6. Use the case provided in each module OR use “the Build A Case” teaching technique. Teaching tips if using the provided case are available in each module following the detailed case description. Slides to guide you in using the “Build A Case” technique are available on the Anderson Program website. (Minimum time requirement for activity: 1 hour.)

For more suggestions on how the small group process unfolds when using the module cases see the detailed case description/teaching tips at the end of each module. If using the “Build A Case” technique refer to the PowerPoint instructions on the Anderson Program website.

7. Identify educational needs for future activities and consider setting a time for future meeting.

8. Ask participants to complete the session evaluation form (can be obtained from the Anderson Program) AND send these forms to the Anderson Program – postage will be paid by Anderson Program.

9. If the aim is to obtain MAINPRO-C credits, administer post-test/reflective exercise 2-3 months after the activity.

Laura Hawryluck, MSc, MD, FRCPC
Physician Leader

Nancy Bush, Coordinator

Ian Anderson Continuing Education Program
in End-of-Life Care
University of Toronto
500 University Avenue, Suite 650
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1V7
Tel. 416.978.1837    Fax 416.971.2200
E-mail ian.anderson.program@utoronto.ca