The CRISP Page

  History -  Purpose -  Structures

Curriculum Development -  CRISP Personnel -  Feedback

History

CRISP was started for the PGY1 group in 1996. Its focus initially was very broad, and included topics such as molecular medicine, ethics, clinical epidemiology, and pathophysiology. Under the leadership of Ed Etchells, Steve Shadowitz, and Ken Locke (the current director), the focus of CRISP gradually changed to the present day model, which is aligned to the CanMEDS framework of professional competencies. It now occurs for all three training years with a different emphasis for each year, as outlined below.

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Purpose

CRISP currently is designed to allow residents in all three postgraduate core training years the opportunity to come together for a shared educational experience once a month.

The focus of content in these experiences is on the non-Medical Expert CanMEDS roles , both as they relate both to day-to-day professional function in the context of the training program, and also as preparation for future independent practice as an Internist.

For an explanation of the CanMEDS roles, as elaborated by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, click here .

In the PGY-1 year , the emphasis is on developing knowledge, skills and attitudes in areas related to each of the CanMEDS roles, as is relevant to carrying out the tasks of the early part of the training program effectively. As the year progresses, increased emphasis is put on building skills necessary for successful transition to the PGY-2 senior role. To access the PGY-1 page, click here .

In the PGY-2 year , the foundation set in PGY-1 is developed further by broadening trainees’ knowledge, skills and attitudes toward effective leadership, with emphasis on independent and sophisticated decision-making and action. To access the PGY-2 page, click here.

In the PGY-3 year , the emphasis turns toward developing senior-level competencies that are necessary for future independent practice as a consultant Internist, working in the context of the Canadian health care system. To access the PGY-3 page, click here .

The goal of CRISP, through all these experiences, is to deliver a consistent level of support for trainees' development towards independent practice in Internal Medicine. It is meant to complement other experiences which occur at an individual and hospital level, either before, alongside, or after the CRISP session, so that trainees are enabled to develop their competencies through a variety of exposures.

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Structures

The CRISP sessions generally occur once per month, for half a day. There is a separate session for each PGY year in each month. For the overall calendar page, please click here .

Occasionally, the space or teaching resources necessary for a given session do not allow a group of 50 or more trainees to have the session all at once. In those cases, the trainee group is split into a number of subgroups, and trainees are assigned one of a number of possible dates for the session. Residents are excused from clinical duties to attend CRISP sessions, and are expected to make every effort to do so. Circumstances may not permit residents to attend all sessions; attendance is taken at every session, and while trainees are not sanctioned for not attending, gaps in their exposure to the relevant CanMEDS roles are noted, which may inform future decisions about performance, at the program director’s discretion.

Teaching methods vary with the nature of the sessions, but include didactic talks, small group discussions, experiential role play with standardized patients, and other methods. Procedures are taught using low-tech simulation with close supervision by expert tutors. Video and other multimedia materials are used to complement live presentations. The integration of learning from CRISP sessions into daily practices is emphasized.

A Blackboard ^®  site contains materials to assist residents in taking the information presented at each session to a deeper level of understanding. These materials include other online resources which residents can utilize according to their level of interest or need.

The Blackboard ^® site can be accessed through the University of Toronto Portal with a valid UTORID and password.  It is open only to trainees and faculty associated with the Core Internal Medicine Program.

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Approach to Curriculum Development

This program is meant to be dynamic in responding to residents' learning needs. While some of the programming is determined based upon external guidance, such as the CanMEDS framework, the program relies heavily on learner perceptions of what they need to know as well. Trainees will participate in an ongoing needs assessment exercise to determine some of the content in the current academic year. Trainees are invited to participate in session development.  Finally, the entire program is overseen by a "Board of Directors", which is a new development this year.

To access the Curriculum Development page, click here.

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CRISP Personnel

CRISP is directed by Dr. Ken Locke and administered by Ms. Jeannette Moniz.  A wide range of trainees and faculty are active in developing and overseeing the program.

A page listing people involved in CRISP, including their backgrounds and roles, can be found here.

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Feedback

All members of the Department community (trainees, faculty, and administration) are invited to give their feedback on any aspect of the CRISP program, and this website.

To send contact us, and send feedback, click here .

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