Individual Practice Review

How are participants referred to IPR?

There are several ways a physician can be referred to IPR. For example:

• Another CPSA department may identify a physician who needs assistance to maintain or improve their competence (such as Professional Conduct, to address and resolve a complaint).
• The results of CPSA’s Physician Assessment & Feedback (PAF) may suggest a physician could benefit from additional support.

The Senior Medical Advisor (SMA) and practice assessors who work with you throughout the IPR process will know the details of why you were referred, so they can provide the support and resources that best suit your needs.

What can you expect when referred to IPR?

We want IPR to be a positive learning experience and an opportunity to improve the care you provide to your patients. Here are some key things to expect:

1. Notification: you will receive a letter from CPSA, advising that you have been referred to take part in IPR. The letter will include details about the process and next steps.
2. Practice profile: to help us understand your practice, you will be asked to provide us with an overview by completing a questionnaire, while the IPR team will profile your practice data (billing information, prescribing profiles, etc.) against peer groups. This data is reviewed by the SMA assigned to your IPR, who uses it to design your assessment.
3. Phone call: the SMA assigned to your IPR is there to support you. They will contact you by phone to discuss the process and give you the opportunity to ask questions.
4. Practice assessment: your SMA will determine the type of assessment you’ll have based on specific details of your practice and send you additional information about what to expect, so you feel informed and prepared.
5. IPR report: after your assessment, your SMA will prepare a report that you can read and reflect on, with feedback about your practice and suggestions for quality improvement.
6. Follow-up phone call: you will participate in a follow-up call with your SMA to discuss your IPR report and agree on an action plan.
7. Practice improvements: your SMA will guide and support you in implementing any recommended practice changes. Once you’ve had time to implement these recommendations, your SMA will determine whether additional assessment is needed, or if your IPR file can close.
8. Your feedback: when your IPR is complete, we will send you a confirmation letter along with a feedback questionnaire so you can tell us about your experience.

What is an IPR practice assessment?

IPR practice assessments take 4-5 hours and can be done in person or virtually. They involve a review of key administrative processes, record-keeping and chart-stimulated recall. You will need to be available during this assessment, as the practice visitor will discuss findings with you throughout. A follow-up report (identifying your practice’s strengths, as well as potential areas for improvement) will be written by your SMA, who will go over the report with you, answer questions and provide resources and strategies to help you implement any recommendations.

Physicians may also be directed to external competence programs for assessment. These programs are highly effective in developing customized plans when specific practice areas require education and remediation. Examples include:

• Alberta Physicians Assessment and Support Services (University of Calgary)
• Clinicians Assessment and Professional Enhancement (University of Manitoba)
• Centre for Professional Education for Physicians (Denver, CO)

If significant challenges are identified or follow-up review of your practice is needed, your IPR may also involve other competency assessments: