Core Competencies Self-Assessment

Core Competencies Self-Assessment

Introduction Naturopathic Doctors provide primary and adjunctive health care to people of all ages, focusing on the use of natural therapies to support and stimulate healing processes. Naturopathic Doctors promote health and educate patients about illness prevention and diagnose and treat diseases in a manner consistent with the body of knowledge and standards of practice of the profession.

Definitions

Naturopathic Diagnosis: A diagnosis made by a Naturopathic Doctor and communicated to a patient or patient representative.
Naturopathic Medicine: as defined in section 3 of the Naturopathy Act, 2007 is the practice of naturopathy in the assessment of diseases, disorders and dysfunctions and naturopathic diagnosis and treatment of diseases, disorders and dysfunctions using naturopathic techniques to promote, maintain or restore health.

1. INTRODUCTION

Before beginning, please review the core competencies of the College of Naturopaths of Ontario. In the space provided, reflect on the core competencies and answer the proposed questions. Use your answers to identify any gaps in knowledge or skill and identify any areas for growth. Once completed your areas for growth should be captured in your Learning Plan

2. REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Please provide the following information as it appears on the public register (Naturopath Search) on the College's website. This will allow the College to match the questionnaire with your application for presentation to the Registration Committee.

First Name*

Please provide your given (first) name.

Middle Name

Please provide your middle name as it appears on the College's Naturopathic Doctor Registry.

Last Name*

Please provide your family (last) name.

Registration Number*

Please provide your registration number with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.

E-mail*

Please provide an email address to which the College may send you communication or information.

3. CORE COMPETENCIES

3.1 Naturopathic Medical Knowledge

The Competent Naturopathic Doctor

1. Integrates naturopathic philosophy, theory and principles with biomedical sciences in the care of patients and case management.

Evaluates and integrates clinical knowledge within the context of naturopathic principles and philosophy in clinical practice
Formulates naturopathic diagnoses and treatment plans consistent with naturopathic philosophy and principles.

2. Develops, maintains and respects a comprehensive naturopathic medical knowledge base.

Demonstrates knowledge of the history, philosophy and clinical sciences essential to the practice of Naturopathic Medicine.
Demonstrates knowledge of the theory and practice of therapeutics including but not limited to botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, pharmaceuticals, physical medicine, clinical nutrition, and lifestyle counselling.
Updates knowledge base continuously through the review of relevant research and ongoing continuing education.

3. Performs a health assessment, critically evaluates information and formulates naturopathic diagnoses.

Gathers information necessary to formulate naturopathic diagnoses.
Incorporates knowledge of the determinants of health and disease into assessment.
Understands and is able to interpret results from laboratory tests, physical examinations, and other diagnostic tests.
Integrates the patient’s health profile, including but not limited to health history, physical examination, diagnostic testing and other relevant patient information, with naturopathic principles in formulating a diagnosis.
Critically evaluates patient-related information in formulating naturopathic diagnoses
Integrates new information appropriately into clinical reasoning.
Evaluates, reflects on and amends diagnoses and treatments based on patient outcomes.

4. Ensures professional competence through ongoing self-assessment and professional development.

Integrates learning into evidence-informed practice.
Recognizes limitations in knowledge, skill, judgment and scope of practice.
Engages in ongoing professional development and learning.
Maintains the skills to identify, appraise and utilize empirical, peer-reviewed research and other information sources.
Self-assesses professional knowledge and skills regularly.

1. As a naturopathic doctor, how would you integrate naturopathic philosophy, theory and principles with naturopathic medical knowledge in the care of your patients?*

2. Briefly describe the process that you would undertake when formulating a diagnosis:*

3. How will you evaluate and/or integrate newly presented medical information with respect to your patients? (e.g. diagnostic test results or new medical research)*

4. Areas for Growth:*

3.2 Inter and Intra-professional Practice and Collaboration

The Competent Naturopathic Doctor

1. Develops and maintains relationships with other regulated health care professionals, and other Naturopathic Doctors, in the care of patients.

Demonstrates an understanding of the scope of practice of naturopathic medicine and other regulated health care professions.
When authorized by the patient, collaborates with other regulated health professionals to support health promotion and illness prevention.
Utilizes community resources in professional practice.
Supports, and participates where appropriate, in the mentorship of students and peers.
Utilizes community resources in professional practice.
Collaborates with other health care professionals in the care of his/her patients when necessary.

5. As a health care practitioner, what steps would you take to develop and maintain professional relationships with other health care professionals who are involved in the care of your patients?*

6. Areas for Growth*

3.3 Communication

The Competent Naturopathic Doctor

1. Communicates effectively.

Articulates information clearly and concisely and in a timely manner, listens actively and responds appropriately.
Collaborates with patients in shared decision-making.
Provides information regarding diagnoses, treatment options, and opportunities for patient questions.
Communicates appropriately with patients or their authorized representatives, colleagues, other health professionals, the community, the regulator, and other legal authorities.
Requests from and provides to other health care professionals relevant patient information when authorized.
Maintains patient confidentiality and privacy.
Demonstrates sensitivity and respect for patient identity including but not limited to age, sex, race, ethnicity, disability, religion, social status, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Ensures that all communications are professional.

7. In your own words, define “effective communication” with respect to patient and peer interactions. What things should one do on a daily basis to ensure effective communication throughout one’s practice?*

8. Areas for Growth*

3.4 Patient Care and Health Promotion

The Competent Naturopathic Doctor

1. Exemplifies the principle of doctor as teacher

Teaches the principles of health promotion and illness prevention including but not limited to sustainable health and lifestyle practices, and the significance of environmental and behavioural factors on health.
Educates the patient regarding the etiology and development of disease.
Educates the patient about the contributing factors to disease and dysfunction and the ways in which they impact health.
Educates the patient about treatment options, their potential risks, benefits, side effects, and likely consequences of not receiving the treatment.

2. Provides safe and effective patient care.

Provides compassionate, ethical, effective and safe care.
Utilizes naturopathic therapeutics safely and effectively including but not limited to botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, pharmaceuticals, physical medicine, clinical nutrition, and lifestyle counselling.
Identifies, assesses, and communicates, the safety, efficacy, indications, contraindications, actions of and interactions between drugs, substances and therapies being used by or provided to the patient.
Utilizes best practices and best available evidence, where applicable.
Creates, implements, monitors and revises individualized treatment plans considering clinical outcomes, best practices, and patient needs.
Clearly documents all discussions, assessments, diagnoses, treatments and interactions related to patient care.
Recognizes personal limitations, adheres to scope of practice and makes appropriate referrals to other health care professionals when indicated.
Maintains professional boundaries and refrains from conflicts of interest.

9. In what ways do you exemplify the principle of ‘doctor as teacher’ in past patient interactions?*

10. In your own words, define “safe and effective patient care” as it pertains to patient interactions and practice:*

11. Areas for Growth*

3.5 Practice Management

The Competent Naturopathic Doctor

1. Establishes, develops and manages their practice.

Establishes and maintains an equitable and inclusive practice environment.
Is knowledgeable of and complies with regulatory requirements related to practice management including but not limited to: maintaining records, fees and billing.
Is knowledgeable of and complies with health and safety requirements related to practice management including but not limited to: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Occupational Health and Safety Act, etc.
Maintains appropriate liability insurance.
Recognizes, discloses and manages any real or perceived conflict of interest.
Identifies, assesses, develops and applies strategies and solutions to manage risk in clinical practice.
Ensures all practice-related advertising and social media content is professional and in keeping with the standards of practice of the profession.

12. In your opinion, what are the key elements of developing and maintaining a safe and effective practice?*

13. Areas for Growth*

3.6 Legislation and Ethics

The Competent Naturopathic Doctor

1. Complies with all relevant laws and regulations.

Complies with federal, provincial, and municipal legislation, regulations and bylaws.
Understands and complies with the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, Naturopathy Act, 2007 and all College regulations and standards of practice.
Understands and complies with mandatory reporting requirements to the appropriate body/organization.

2. Demonstrates ethical conduct and integrity in professional practice and personal conduct.

Practices with integrity and without prejudice.
Abides by the naturopathic oath.
Demonstrates accountability for practice decisions.
Places the protection of the public ahead of self-interest.
Ensures that all recommendations and actions are in the best interest of the patient.
Recognizes and addresses ethical issues arising in practice.
Establishes and maintains appropriate therapeutic relationships and professional boundaries

14. In your own words describe “ethical conduct” and provide a few examples to illustrate how you exemplify it in your personal conduct and professional practice:*

15. Areas for Growth*

4. DECLARATIONS & SIGNATURE

16. Declaration

I, the above-named individual, do hereby solemnly declare that: - I have completed this self-assessment on my own with no assistance or direction from others; - This self-assessment is a true assessment of my current knowledge of the Core Competencies; and - I have been honest and truthful in completing this self-assessment.

I so declare.

17. Signature

By checking the box below, you are affixing a signature to this form and indicating that this form and the information contained herein is bound directly to you.

I affix my digital signature

5. Submission Copy

Below is a check box to receive a copy of your submission. It is highly recommended that you check this box and enter your e-mail address for a second time. This will enable the on-line system to send you a copy of the information that you have provided to the College.

Send me a copy of my responses

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