Manager: Key and Enabling Competencies[RCPSC]

Definition: As Managers, physicians are integral participants in healthcare organizations, organizing sustainable practices, making decisions about allocating resources, and contributing to the effectiveness of the healthcare system.

Description: Physicians interact with their work environment as individuals, as members of teams or groups, and as participants in the health system locally, regionally or nationally. The balance in the emphasis among these three levels varies depending on the nature of the specialty, but all specialties have explicitly identified management responsibilities as a core requirement for the practice of medicine in their discipline.  Physicians function as Managers in their everyday practice activities involving co-workers, resources and organizational tasks, such as care processes, and policies as well as balancing their personal lives.  Thus, physicians require the ability to prioritize, effectively execute tasks collaboratively with colleagues, and make systematic choices when allocating scarce healthcare resources.  The CanMEDS Manager Role describes the active engagement of all physicians as integral participants in decision-making in the operation of the healthcare system.   

Key Competencies: Physicians are able to...

1. Participate in activities that contribute to the effectiveness of their healthcare organizations and systems;

2. Manage their practice and career effectively;

3. Allocate finite healthcare resources appropriately;

4. Serve in administration and leadership roles, as appropriate.

Enabling Competencies:  Physicians are able to...  

1. Participate in activities that contribute to the effectiveness of their healthcare organizations and systems

1.1. Work collaboratively with others in their organizations

1.2. Participate in systemic quality process evaluation and improvement, such as patient safety

initiatives

1.3. Describe the structure and function of the healthcare system as it relates to their specialty,

including the roles of physicians

1.4. Describe principles of healthcare financing, including physician remuneration, budgeting and

organizational funding

2. Manage their practice and career effectively

2.1. Set priorities and manage time to balance patient care, practice requirements, outside activities

and personal life

2.2. Manage a practice including finances and human resources

2.3. Implement processes to ensure personal practice improvement 

2.4. Employ information technology appropriately for patient care

3. Allocate finite healthcare resources appropriately

3.1. Recognize the importance of just allocation of healthcare resources, balancing effectiveness,

efficiency and access with optimal patient care

3.2. Apply evidence and management processes for cost-appropriate care

4. Serve in administration and leadership roles, as appropriate

4.1. Chair or participate effectively in committees and meetings

4.2. Lead or implement a change in health care

4.3. Plan relevant elements of health care delivery (e.g., work schedules)