PPR-NL: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Physician Peer Review Program (PPR-NL)?

• PPR-NL is a made-in-Newfoundland and Labrador physician peer review program. The program is educational in nature, collegial and non-invasive and it is designed to promote quality improvement throughout the span of of physicians’ careers.
• The program is intended to offer an individualized, standardized, data-driven analyses of a physicians’ practices.
• The review process will encourage each College member to reflect on their practice so that they can most effectively plan their continuing professional development and practice improvements to respond to needs identified in their practice.
• Some participants will undergo offsite record review, and/or onsite office visits.
• All participants will receive feedback and practice resources.
• All participants will be asked to complete an action plan based on their individual practice needs.

2. Why do members have to undergo the review process?

• The College is mandated by legislation to regulate the practice of medicine in the public interest. This requires that the College review the practice of its members to ensure that the care provided to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador is safe and trusted.
• It will encourage continuing quality improvement activities, and continuing practice improvement for College members.

3. When will the PPR-NL review process begin?

• The program will begin for Family Physicians in early 2021.
• The program will be developed to encompass Specialists beginning in 2021.

4. Who must undergo a review?

• All physicians who have been practicing independently for at least three full years and are not currently on maternity/paternity or medical leave.
• Members already participating in a similar process for another reason may be exempt if they are able to share related information and data (e.g., performance review; activities for CFPC or RCPSC Maintenance of Certification assessment category with quality improvement/learning component.)

5. Where will reviews take place?

• For participants undergoing a chart review, most will be off-site reviews, which will be administered remotely.
• On-site record reviews will be carried out at the primary practice location of the physician being reviewed.
• All reviews will be completed by a College-approved reviewer.

6. How are College members selected for the review process, and how often is a member required to go through the review process?

• Participants are randomly selected for participation in the program, and then risk/protective stratification factors are applied, to help determine the appropriate depth of review. It has been recognized in research literature that there are several factors associated with a physician and their practice that may put them at an increased risk for reduced practice quality, or which may be supportive of higher levels of practice quality. Analysis of these factors will help the College determine the depth of review for some participants, while the depth of review for other participants will be selected at random.
• The program will operate on a seven-year cycle.

7. How do I benefit from PPR-NL?

• A PPR-NL review is an opportunity for you to critically analyze your own practice, to find opportunities to provide better care to patients.
• Participation will help you to choose CPD opportunities that match your practice and learning needs.
• The program will provide you with practice-support resources.
• You will be eligible for CPD credits once you complete the review process.