Getting your program accredited

Beginning December 13, 2019 all of the COS CPD/Education resources and information will be found on the COS Practice Resource Centre: www.cosprc.ca

The mandate of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is to develop high-quality, ethically responsible continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities for Canadian ophthalmologists.

As a CPD provider accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), COS develops and approves activities for CPD credits under Section 1 and Section 3 of the RCPSC Maintenance of Certification program.

Working in collaboration with physician organizations, universities, and industry partners, COS develops and approves CPD activities based on the educational needs of its members across the country in accordance with an annual learning plan.

New in 2018!

National standard for support of accredited CPD activities

The intent of the National standard for support of accredited CPD activities is to safeguard the integrity of accredited CPD activities from the influence of sponsoring organizations that could lead to bias. The standard applies to all situations where financial and in-kind support is accepted to contribute to the development, delivery and/or evaluation of accredited CPD activities. Adherence to the standard is required for the approval of all accredited CPD activities. You may wish to visit the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s website for further information.

Organizations interested in developing a CPD activity are asked to:

1. Contact the COS via email or telephone (613.729.6779 x223) to discuss the learning needs of Canadian ophthalmologists.
2. Follow the appropriate accreditation guide, and please do not hesitate to ask for clarification or guidance from the COS.

Physician organizations

Physician organizations are invited to submit programs for either approval or co-development with COS. We recommend that you contact the COS to discuss your program in advance of completing an accreditation application. Please complete the application form, attach all necessary documentation, and submit with the accreditation fee to COS at minimum 6-8 weeks prior to the CPD activity. Applications submitted for review less than four (4) weeks from the activity’s start date will be charged an expedited review fee.

Section 1 – Group learning activities

• Section 1 – Group learning activity accreditation standards
• Accreditation application for Section 1 CPD activity
• Template: Budget for a CPD activity
• Template: Conflict of interest disclosure form
• Template: Conflict of interest disclosure slide
• Template: Evaluation
• Sample: Certificate of attendance
• How to develop needs assessment strategy

Industry and other non-physician groups

Industry organizations and other non-physician groups are invited to submit requests for co-development. Please contact COS at the earliest opportunity and work in collaboration with COS to ensure that CPD activities are based on COS member needs. COS must agree to co-develop the activity in order to approve the program for credits.

• Request form for co-development of a CPD activity

Section 3 – Accredited Self-Assessment Program (SAP)

• Section 3 – SAP accreditation standards
• SAP accreditation application
• SAP development template
• Clinical audit guidelines
• Clinical audit tool

Section 3 – Simulation Activities

• Section 3 Simulation activity accreditation standards
• Simulation activity accreditation application

Accreditation fees

The accreditation application fee is determined by the budget for the learning activity:

• Activity budget of less than $10,000: $600 + $78 HST = $678
• Activity budget of $10,000 to $50,000: $1000 + $130 HST = $1130
• Activity budget of more than $50,000: Accreditation fee (+ HST) will be assessed based on the complexity of the activity and in consultation with the applicant

Should an application be submitted for review less than four (4) weeks from the activity’s start date, the accreditation fee doubles. This increase covers the costs associated with the expedited accreditation review process.

NOTE: COS will invoice the physician organization once the program application has been processed. Accreditation fees are non-refundable.