Nancy Salbach (Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada); Mary Bell (Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada); Abi Sriharan (Director, International Continuing Health Education Collaborative, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada); Simon Kitto (Director of Research, Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada); Dimitri Anastakis (Interim Vice Dean, Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada); Ivan Silver (Vice-President of Education, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada)
Synopsis
The purpose of this presentation is to describe the formation, activities, and future directions of the research in continuing education (RICE) group at the University of Toronto (UofT) in Canada. Dr. Ivan Silver formed the RICE group in 2007 as Vice Dean, Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development in the Faculty of Medicine at UofT, to help achieve a strategic plan goal to “Foster scholarship and research in continuing education”. Ongoing RICE meetings, attended by researchers and clinicians interested in CE, serve to highlight findings from CE scholarly activities to advance the effectiveness of CE in the health professions.
Purpose
To describe the formation, activities, and future directions of the research in continuing education (RICE) group at the University of Toronto (UofT), Canada.
Methods
In January 2007, the Vice Dean of the UofT Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development (CEPD) invited approximately 15 known CE researchers to join an informal working group to discuss short-term CE research goals and objectives. This activity was designed to “Foster scholarship and research in continuing education” as part of the office’s 2006 strategic plan. Dr. Mary Bell chaired the group and was later joined by co-chair Abi Srihanan, a research fellow in the Office of CEPD.
Results
In 2008, the CEPD working group participated in accreditation of the Office of CEPD and their CE research grants and publications informed accreditation documents. In 2009, the group developed a strategic plan outlining a mission, vision, goals, objectives and actions. A subsequent activity focused on improving the application process for CE research and development awards offered by the Office. The group was renamed the research in continuing education (RICE) group in 2010 to help raise its profile. Currently, meetings involve a presentation by a CE researcher/scholar, and discussion of upcoming CE events, emerging issues and activities of group members.
Applications
The goals and activities of RICE may be applicable to the development of CEPD networks within or outside of Canada.
Future directions
RICE leaders aim to broaden membership and highlight rigorous and innovative research methods to advance the effectiveness of CE in the health professions.
