Understanding the Updated Mainpro+® Program Requirements

Family physicians are the backbone of the health care system and leaders in primary care, yet we know Mainpro+ participants are facing more challenges in their practice than ever before. The CFPC is actively listening to your feedback about Mainpro+, and that’s why we are making changes to the participation requirements, specifically the credit categories. Simplifying the credit categories from six to three will allow for:

• Clearer credit allocation, making it easier for you to properly assign activities
• Reduced complexity and an improved user experience with the Mainpro+ platform
• Easier progress tracking, credit accumulation monitoring, and continuing professional development (CPD) reporting
• Decreased administrative burden that derived from CPD

Yes, we recognize that CPD is always changing and evolving. In the new system you will be able to claim non-certified credits for real life learning opportunities such as consultations with a colleague, online discussions, or coaching and mentoring. Additionally, you can claim two credit types (Certified and Certified Assessment) for some activities, such as advanced life support (ALS) courses , that incorporate assessment elements.

The change to require 10 Certified Assessment credits over a five-year cycle recognizes the importance for you to incorporate assessment activities into your ongoing CPD while making sure that you have sufficient time and educational options to do so.

The CFPC is committed to keeping CPD standards for our Mainpro+ participants relevant and up to date with current and emerging national and international best practices. Recent studies show that there is evidence supporting the impact and importance of CPD activities that drive learning and behaviour change through reflection on data and various types of feedback on a physician’s practice.

Assessment activities allow you to analyze and reflect on various dimensions of your practice and receive feedback that drives learning and positive behaviour change, while supporting you in facing the challenges of your practice and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

Assessment activities have already been shown to be a valuable source of CPD for Mainpro+ participants across the country. Recent assessment credit submissions by participants demonstrate an increasing demand for assessment activities—about 8,000 activity submissions by participants in 2020/21, and 11,000 submissions in 2021/22.

Mainpro+ participants will be required to claim a minimum of 10 Certified Assessment credits. Under regular circumstances, participants will have a five-year cycle to fulfill this requirement.

The CFPC is committed to making sure participants have access to Certified Assessment activities to support them in meeting this requirement. In addition to working with CPD providers across the country to encourage and support the development of Certified Assessment activities, the CFPC has developed several assessment activities that are free and accessible to CFPC members.

If you have any questions regarding Certified Assessment credit compliance, please feel free to reach out to us at 1-800-387-6197, ext. 560, or at [email protected]. We are in your corner and here to support you.

Generally, all Mainpro+ participants are required to claim 10 credits within a five-year cycle.

However, when the requirement is introduced, Mainpro+ participants who are already partially through their five-year cycle—with one to four years remaining—will only need to fulfill a reduced or pro-rated requirement equivalent to two Certified Assessment credits per remaining year of their cycle.

For example, a participant with three years remaining in their five-year cycle would only be required to complete six Certified Assessment credits during the remainder of that cycle. A member with only one year remaining in their five-year cycle when the requirement is introduced would only require two Certified Assessment credits.

If you have any questions regarding Certified Assessment credit compliance, please feel free to reach out to us at 1-800-387-6197, ext. 560, or at [email protected]. We are in your corner and here to support you.

There are multiple ways to fulfill this credit requirement, including:

Professional Learning Plan (PLP): Earn up to 20 Mainpro+ Certified Assessment credits. The PLP tool provides step-by-step guidance to address key needs, offers new opportunities for practice improvement, and helps you plan CPD goals at any stage in your professional practice.

Linking Learning Activities: Earn five Mainpro+ Certified Assessment credits per exercise. Linking Learning Activities allow you to earn Mainpro+ Certified Assessment credits by assessing learning that occurred during conferences, seminars, and courses, as well as during your daily work such as interactions with peers or journal reading, etc.

Other Mainpro+ Certified Assessment activities and combined learning activities: The CFPC continues to work with CPD providers to support the development of Mainpro+ Certified Assessment activities. Starting in December 2024, Mainpro+ users can claim both Certified and Certified Assessment credits for activities such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)  courses, or being an examiner for certification exams, which have incorporated assessment components.

Your current cycle dates and all of your existing credits will be transferred into the new system with the launch of the new platform in December 2024.

The Linking Learning suite of activities allows Mainpro+ users to claim credits for nearly any type of learning opportunity—learn more about these activities. If you are still not sure about how to claim your credits, contact our Mainpro+ coordinators at 1-800-387-6197, ext. 560, or at [email protected]. We are here to help!

Yes. Many aspects of the Mainpro+ requirements will stay the same including your ability to claim up to 50 Mainpro+ Certified credits for Royal College MOC Section 1 credits or Certified Assessment credits for Royal College MOC Section 3 credits.