Physician Assessment Centre of Excellence CEO Keri McAdoo. – SUPPLIED BY PACEArticle contentNova Scotia’s Physician Assessment Centre of Excellence (PACE) has been recognized for its approach to licensing internationally trained physicians, a system already connecting patients with primary care provincewide. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentPACE received this year’s innovation in physician assessment and remediation award from the Coalition for Physician Enhancement, an international group that recognizes leadership for physician evaluation and patient care improvement. Article contentArticle contentArticle content“It was fantastic to receive this recognition” said PACE CEO Keri McAdoo, who accepted the award in Chicago alongside Viren Naik, CEO of the Medical Council of Canada. Article content“It’s very meaningful for PACE and the team to be recognized.”Article contentWhat PACE is Article contentLaunched in February, PACE is an evidence-based licensing pathway for internationally trained physicians, designed to help those doctors demonstrate their ability to practise in Nova Scotia. The program involves a workplace-based assessment structure that allows candidates to continue to deliver patient care while being evaluated. Article content“It allows for us to assess physicians that wouldn’t otherwise be able to practise in Nova Scotia,” McAdoo said, adding that the structure of the program ensures doctors have the required competencies when practising under the assessment program and beyond. Article contentArticle contentPACE operates out of its own clinic in Halifax where evaluators and candidates work together with patients, creating what McAdoo describes as a “community of practice” where candidates are supported through the process. Article contentArticle content“We expect that they’re coming in confident in medical knowledge, and even with that medical knowledge it does take some time to get adjusted to the resources and the system at large in Nova Scotia,” she said.Article contentThe model also allows stronger mentorship and improves the consistency and continuity of care. Patients are registered directly with the PACE clinic, where the internationally trained doctors can practise closely and long term with patients while supervised by assessors. Article content“It is truly unique that we have a PACE clinic dedicated to this work, and that doesn’t exist anywhere else in Canada,” McAdoo said.
Nova Scotia’s PACE program wins national innovation award for physician assessment
