Operated at arm’s length from the College, the PAR program supports quality improvement both in individual practice and province-wide.
Through PAR, every Alberta physician receives multi-dimensional feedback on their practice on a five-year cycle. Beyond medical knowledge and skills, PAR looks at communication, teamwork, collaboration and office processes. Co-workers, medical colleagues and patients all participate, supporting a team approach to care.
The confidential results are reported back to physicians with benchmarks for similar practices, to help them identify strengths and potential improvements in their practice. The PAR program can also provide physicians with individualized support through practice visits.
Created by the CPSA in 1999, the PAR concept is now being used by other provinces and is recognized internationally. Physician input, new technologies and ideas shared by other PAR adopters are continuously shaping the program into more effective tool for practice improvement.