Redeveloping a workplace-based assessment program for physicians using Kane's validity framework.

This paper describes the use of Kane's validity framework to redevelop a workplace-based assessment program for practicing physicians administered by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. The developmental process is presented according to the four inferences in Kane's model. was addressed through the creation of specialty-specific assessment criteria and global, narrative-focused reports.

Tools for Enhancement and Quality Improvement of Peer Assessment and Clinical Care in Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Members of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario Endocrinology and Metabolism Peer Review Network have been involved in a quality improvement project to help standardize the peer assessment of physicians practicing in endocrinology and metabolism. This has included developing state-of-the-art summaries of common endocrine problems by Canadian experts in endocrinology and metabolism. These tools have been developed in response to the educational needs, as identified by peer reviewers, of practicing endocrinologists in Ontario.

Effectiveness of brief interventions as part of the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model for reducing the nonmedical use of psychoactive substances: a systematic review.

Background: The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the effectiveness of brief interventions (BIs) as part of the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model for reducing the nonmedical use of psychoactive substances.

Methods: Bibliographic databases (including MEDLINE, Embase, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and PsycINFO to April 2012) and gray literature sources were searched. We included randomized controlled trials that opportunistically screened adolescents or adults and then provided a one-to-one, verbal BI to those at risk of substance-use harm.

Effect of a course-based intervention and effect of medical regulation on physicians' opioid prescribing.

Objective: To examine the effects of an intensive 2-day course on physicians' prescribing of opioids.

Design: Population-based retrospective observational study.

Setting: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) in Toronto.

Effectiveness of brief interventions as part of the screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) model for reducing the non-medical use of psychoactive substances: a systematic review protocol.

Background: There is a significant public health burden associated with substance use in Canada. The early detection and/or treatment of risky substance use has the potential to dramatically improve outcomes for those who experience harms from the non-medical use of psychoactive substances, particularly adolescents whose brains are still undergoing development. The Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment model is a comprehensive, integrated approach for the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for individuals experiencing substance use-related harms, as well as those who are at risk of experiencing such harm.

The opioid manager: a point-of-care tool to facilitate the use of the Canadian Opioid Guideline.

The Opioid Manager is designed to be used as a point-of-care tool for providers prescribing opioids for chronic noncancer pain. It condenses the key elements from the Canadian Opioid Guideline and can be used as a chart insert. The Opioid Manager has been validated and is available for download from the Guideline's Web site http://nationalpaincentre.

Self-study of values, beliefs, and conflict of interest: the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders.

Study Design: Observation and survey of values, beliefs, and conflicts of interest.

Objective: To study the values, beliefs, and potential conflicts of interest that the Neck Pain Task Force brought to their deliberations.

Summary Of Background Data: Researchers' values and beliefs were studied to uncover areas of divergence and to develop guiding principles to assist decision making.

Self-study of values, beliefs, and conflict of interest: the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders.

Study Design: Observation and survey of values, beliefs, and conflicts of interest.

Objective: To study the values, beliefs, and potential conflicts of interest that the Neck Pain Task Force brought to their deliberations.

Summary Of Background Data: Researchers' values and beliefs were studied to uncover areas of divergence and to develop guiding principles to assist decision making.

Mono-disciplinary or multidisciplinary back pain guidelines? How can we achieve a common message in primary care?

Description of a workshop entitled "Sharing Guidelines for Low Back Pain Between Primary Health Care Providers: Toward a Common Message in Primary Care" that was held at the Fifth International Forum on Low Back Pain in Primary Care in Canada in May 2002. Despite a considerable degree of acceptance of current evidence-based guidelines, in practice, primary health care providers still do not share a common message. The objective of the workshop was to describe the outcomes of a workshop on the sharing of guidelines in primary care.

Functional assessment of injured workers: a profile of assessor practices.

Background: Considerable controversy and limited information surrounds the use of performance-based functional assessments for determining an injured worker's ability to function at work.

Purpose: Amidst a variety of protocols, philosophies and tools, the key aspects of different assessment approaches are described and compared across a range of assessment provider organizations.

Method: Qualitative and quantitative strategies were used to generate an in-depth understanding of the different assessment practices among 23 Southern Ontario assessment providers.