Strategic Plan Updates

abstract blur image background of waiting area hospital clinic
Happy doctor doing paperwork and reading medical files at doctor's office.

Vision

Our vision is to be a respected leader that protects the public while supporting the medical profession.

Mission

Our mission is to serve the public by effectively regulating the medical profession.

Commitment

Our commitment is to be thorough, clear, decisive and fair. We will engage the public and the profession.

Values

Our work will reflect the value we place in:

Input from the public and the profession;

Excellence in medical care; and

Professionalism.

Strategic Plan 2021-2022: Highlights

Strategic Themes

Access to Healthcare

We will support improved access to healthcare through:

Expanding our approach to licensing competent physicians trained outside of Canada.

Regulating clinical assistants, physician assistants, and innovative programs to extend the impact of physician care.

Key Developments to Date

Created a shorter licensure pathway for physicians trained outside of Canada. Physicians issued a Defined license could be issued long-term, independent licensure after as little as six months of supervised practice.

The College now issues a Full licence to American Board-certified physicians if they otherwise meet the eligibility criteria. The requirement for Royal College certification is waived for these physicians. We are the first province to do so.

The College’s new Subspecialist Examination Affiliate Program (SEAP) Designates: Requirements for Full Licensure policy waives the legislated requirement for Royal College certification for these physicians.

Physician extenders are playing an increasingly important role. The College surveys, evaluates, and accredits all physician extender programs in the province and continues to do so quickly upon request. To date, we have approved a Clinical Assistant Program in Internal Medicine in the eastern zone, a Clinical Assistant Program in Cardiovascular Surgery in the central zone, and a Physician Assistant Program in Emergency Medicine in several sites.

As of May 1, the Atlantic Registry is available to all physicians in an Atlantic province licensed to practise without conditions, restrictions, undertakings or supervision. Physicians on the Atlantic Registry can practise throughout the region as of right.

Launched the Welcome Collaborative aimed to strengthen physician retention by providing a three-day orientation to physicians who have trained outside of Canada and have been issued a Defined licence, to integrate successfully into the Nova Scotian healthcare system.

Anti-Racism

We will build our capacity to work in a culturally respectful, safe, and humble manner by:

Educating all engaged in the work of the College on anti-racism and systemic discrimination.

Building relationships with communities underrepresented in medicine.

Informing our work through the collection of race-based data about our physicians and the public we serve.

Implementing the recommendations from the report entitled From the Inside: External Review into Systemic Anti-Black Racism Within the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.

Key Developments to Date

Expanded an equity, diversity and inclusion training program at the College, providing ongoing training and education to staff, the Council and committee members.

Intentionally recruited College staff and Council members with diverse, first-voice expertise to expand the perspectives that inform the work of the College.

Launched the collection of voluntary race-based data as part of physician registration and annual licence renewal.