APASS Welcome Letter
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Dear Dr. {First, Last},
You have been referred to the Alberta Physician Assessment and Support Services (APASS) program by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). The APASS program has a mandate to provide educational support and assessment of physicians referred by CPSA.
We have been provided with documentation regarding the areas of concern identified by the CPSA. Access to this information is limited to those who are developing and monitoring your Focused Learning Plan (FLP); the preceptor or coach who will provide remediation; and the assessing physician who will determine if the goals of the FLP have been met. All interactions between the APASS program, preceptor/coach and the assessor will be encrypted to protect confidentiality.
An initial meeting will be organized with your assigned APASS Medical Director. In this meeting she will orient you to the program and begin the process of developing your FLP. Your FLP will outline the deficiencies to be addressed and is framed within the CANMEDs competences.
Your APASS program plan will include:
- Peer coaching: As much of your training as possible will utilize peer coaching. You will be assigned a clinical coach. At the end of the coaching period, we will determine if in-person clinical experience is needed. You can expect that this possibility will be reviewed with you as you progress in the program.
- Clinical experiences: If necessary, you will spend time in a clinical setting with an experienced clinical preceptor. This will include direct observation of your clinical skills; exploration of clinical reasoning, and charting; interaction with allied health professionals; and other possible opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes to maximize your success. This will be accompanied by daily feedback from the preceptor, and reflective review on your part.
- Learning experiences: You can expect to be directed to complete specific programs/courses (Clinical Reasoning for example), as well as directed readings. We may also have you work with standardized patients or have other learning experiences as required, to address the identified deficits.
After 4 coaching sessions, we will consult with the coach to refine/revise your FLP, ensure adequate supports are in place, review the effectiveness of the remediation, and establish the potential remaining timeline for remediation. We will also meet with you at this point to review your progress. Throughout your time in APASS, we will remain in contact with your coach/preceptor to provide educational support, and we remain available to you if you have concerns or questions at any time.
Once there is an agreement between the APASS program and the coach and/or clinical preceptor that the goals of the FLP have been addressed, you may be asked to work with an assessment physician for 2-3 days in a clinic setting. The assessment physician will focus on assessing the relevant clinical domains outlined in the FLP. Direct observation will occur, and a subsequent objective assessment report will be provided to the CPSA and to you. This report will identify if the goals of the FLP have been met; if there are outstanding objectives; if further remediation is required; or if there are any suggestions for ongoing monitoring of your practice. The APASS program does not make decisions regarding fitness to practice or licensure. These determinations are the exclusive purview of the CPSA.
Finances:You are responsible for the following fees related to the APASS program:
1. APASS program registration fee is $13,400 paid by credit card in two payments of $6,700. These payment includes:
> 30 hours of coaching time which encompasses coaching sessions, coach preparation and feedback, as well as meetings between the coach and the APASS Medical Director. In our experience, each hour of face to face coaching time requires an average of 2 hours of preparation and review time.
> Meetings with you and the assigned APASS Medical Director to review your progress in the APASS program.
> Administration fees
2. Additional coaching hours can be purchased at $1,500 for a bundle of 6 hours if more coaching is needed to meet the requirements of the Focused Learning Plan. This will be determined by your coach and APASS Medical Director.
3. $550 for Coach Final Assessment Report. You will be billed this fee once coaching sessions are completed.
4. The registration form is attached. Please see the form for payment details.
5. Refund Policy: a $2,000 fee is retained if you withdraw from program prior to APASS writing the Focused Learning Plan. A $7,900 fee is retained if you withdraw after the Focused Learning Plan has been written. There is no refund after the Coaching Sessions have started.6. Following the best practice guidelines, a $200 fee will be billed to the physician for coaching sessions not cancelled within 48 hours.7. The APASS registration fees do not cover other courses, including Medical Record Keeping, Clinical Reasoning Course, and standardized patient assessments identified by the APASS program to meet the requirements of the Focused Learning Plan.
Next Steps:
1. Upon receipt of the APASS registration payment, our course coordinator, Stephanie Vickers will contact you via email to set up a virtual meeting with one of our Medical Directors for orientation and development of the Focused Learning Plan.
2. Identify any dates that you will NOT be available for coaching or clinical training during the initial meeting.
3. A coach will be assigned, and sessions will be organized once the tasks listed above have been completed. If needed, a clinical preceptor may also be assigned as you progress through the program.
4. If clinical sessions take place at an Alberta Health Services facility, privileges will need to be arranged before starting clinical training. Privileges are mandatory to start clinical training in an Alberta Health Services facility, and Stephanie Vickers would contact you with the necessary documents to complete. Please contact us at apass@ucalgary.ca if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
{Insert Signature}
Dr. Sharon Fehr MD CCFP(EM) (she/her)
Senior Medical Director, Alberta Physician Assessment & Support Services
Clinical Assistant Professor, Family Medicine
Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
sharon.fehr@ucalgary.ca