Q: What prompted the need to review and adapt The Program’s CFPC Mainpro+® Certification?
One of the most significant developments for our program—and for our members—has been securing our Mainpro+® certification for the next three years. This is particularly important for family physician members, but it also speaks more broadly to the credibility and rigour of the program. The College of Family Physicians of Canada had updated its standards and quality criterion, which meant we needed to carefully review and adapt our processes to meet new expectations.
We were very intentional about that work, and we feel confident that we’ve addressed those requirements well. As a result, members who participate in the program—either independently or through a small group—can meet their credit requirements quite seamlessly. That reassurance matters, especially at a time when certification expectations are evolving and can feel stressful for physicians trying to stay on top of everything.
Q: Certified Assessment credits are now a key requirement. How has the program adapted to support members with that change?
One of the most meaningful changes is that Certified Assessment credits are now fully integrated into our regular program. Previously, members could only earn those credits through our Practice Improvement Activities. Now, simply by completing a module and engaging with both the Practice Reflection Tool and the Follow-up Practice Reflection Tool, members can earn Certified Assessment credits directly.
We see this as a very positive development that will encourage members to complete both the PRT and Follow-up PRT. Practice reflection and follow-up are not add-ons—they’re essential to real practice change. Reading a module is valuable, but taking the time to reflect on your own practice, plan practice change, and reassess is what actually helps new knowledge translate into improved patient care. By embedding assessment credits into that process, we’re reinforcing behaviours that lead to meaningful, lasting change.
Q: Can you walk us through how credits are now structured for members?
Certainly. Members who complete a module as part of a group earn five certified credits, while those who complete a module individually earn four. On top of that, completing the Practice Reflection Tool earns one Certified Assessment credit, and completing the follow-up Practice Reflection Tool earns another.
So, for group learners, that’s five credits for the module plus two Certified Assessment credits. For individual learners, it’s four plus two. In addition, our Practice Improvement Activities continue to offer either 10 or 20 Certified Assessment credits, depending on the estimated duration of the activity.
What’s also new is that we’re now certified to offer credits for webinars, at one credit per hour for live attendance, and facilitator training is also eligible for certified credits. Together, this creates a flexible and supportive program that allows members to earn credits in ways that align with how they learn and practice.
Q: Equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) were also part of the certification process. How has the program approached those areas?
The certification process gave us an opportunity to take a very intentional look at accessibility across the program. We’ve always been mindful of this, but we wanted to go further. That included reviewing font size, colour contrast, and readability in both the PDF modules and the online interactive format.
The interactive modules, in particular, allow us to chunk information into smaller pieces, which reduces cognitive load and supports retention. We’ve worked closely with our vendor to refresh this platform and ensure we’re meeting key accessibility standards. It’s not about perfection, but about making the program as usable and inclusive as possible for the widest range of learners.
Q: How is EDIA being incorporated into facilitation more broadly?
We’re currently piloting an initiative that integrates EDIA principles directly into facilitator training and module facilitation. A small group of facilitators and their groups will be testing this approach and providing feedback. The goal is to equip facilitators with tools and language that help acknowledge diverse perspectives and experiences, regardless of the module topic.
Patients are complex, multi-dimensional people, and while cases can only capture so much on paper, we want facilitators and learners to feel empowered to explore those layers in discussion. This lens adds depth and relevance to learning and better reflects the realities of clinical practice.
Q: Are there plans to further expand how members can engage with module content?
Yes, and this is an area we’re really excited about. We’re actively exploring ways to better support screen readers and audio-based learning. For some members, this is essential for accessibility reasons; for others, it’s about flexibility. Being able to listen to content while commuting or moving through daily tasks can make a real difference.
Ultimately, our goal is to help members use their time efficiently while still engaging deeply with the material. Offering multiple ways to access the same content supports different learning styles and real-world schedules.
Q: Wellness has also become an increasing focus within the program. Why was that important to address?
We know that if clinicians aren’t taking care of their own well-being, it becomes much harder to implement and sustain practice change. While we can’t be everything to everyone in terms of wellness support, we do feel a responsibility to acknowledge its importance and provide meaningful opportunities.
We continue to offer the Mindfulness for Busy Physicians course, with another nine-week session launching this spring, and we host one or two wellness-focused webinars each year. These are entirely voluntary, but they provide opportunities for members who want to engage with wellness concepts in a structured, supportive way. It’s a small but important part of the overall program.
Q: Looking ahead, what are some of the key developments members should know about for 2026?
One of the most significant recent releases is the Indigenous Health module, which has been a long-term and deeply important project for our organization. Developed in collaboration with contributors connected to Indigenous health leadership within the College, the module provides extensive resources, opportunities for reflection, and space for meaningful practice change.
Because of its depth, we’re encouraging groups to complete it over two sessions, and we’ve created a dedicated facilitator guide to support thoughtful discussion. This mirrors the approach we’ve taken with other important topics, such as physician wellbeing, where additional facilitation guidance can make a real difference.
Q: For members considering becoming facilitators, how accessible is that process now?
The process is much more streamlined than it used to be. Previously, facilitator training required a full in-person day, which could be a barrier—especially for those in remote areas. Now, members complete three short training videos followed by a two-hour Zoom session focused on facilitation skills, common challenges, and administrative aspects of the role.
New facilitators typically ease into the role by co-facilitating or leading two sessions before attending training. Afterward, they return to their groups with a clearer understanding of facilitation expectations and the importance of the reflection tools. Those tools are really where practice change becomes intentional and actionable.
Q: Any final thoughts you’d like to leave with members?
One initiative we’re particularly proud of is our ongoing participation at the Family Medicine Forum, where we share our Top 10 Practice Tips. With more than 6,000 members across Canada, we see tremendous value in reflecting the real practice changes happening nationwide and sharing those insights with the broader family medicine community.
Everyone wants to provide excellent care and stay current, but it’s not always easy. Sharing practical strategies, lessons learned, and small wins helps make that journey more manageable. We’re looking forward to submitting our abstract again this year and, hopefully, continuing those conversations in Toronto.
