Recently, the SEAMO Governing Committee approved the adoption of a new Accountability Framework. The AccountabilityAccountability Committee with yellow background Committee review process was led by Dr. Stephen Vanner.

Dr.  Vanner says this initiative was achieved through a collaborative effort. “This involved over 100 SEAMO members who worked together in an iterative process over a two-year period. It was led by a SEAMO steering committee that was informed by three working groups representing the research, education and clinical domains,” he explains. “They advised on a process for core deliverables and identified priority areas for the organization which was then approved by SEAMO governors.” 

The new Accountability Framework creates a forward-looking process that works with Departments to enhance their ability to reach the aspirational goals of their SEAMO physicians, while ensuring that core deliverables are being met and valued, Dr. Vanner says. “SEAMO physicians identified five priority areas during the development of the Framework: 1) quality improvement; 2) eHealth and patient care pathways; 3) physician wellness; 4) research; 5) leadership development. They also requested additional resources to facilitate their opportunities to pursue this work,” Dr. Vanner details. “SEAMO has responded by investing over $1M in the first year to support SEAMO physician-led committees, which are working to create resources for these priority areas. The Accountability Framework is also designed to be flexible and nimble, allowing incorporation of new Departmental and Faculty initiatives and the ability to respond to the ever-changing needs of the organization.” 

One thing Dr. Vanner wants people to know about the new Accountability Framework is that it puts physicians at the centre. “While the framework is designed to guide Departments, at its core, it seeks to help SEAMO members achieve their personal clinical and academic goals and ultimately enhance their satisfaction and wellness.” 

SEAMO Board Chair Mr. George Thomson echoes this sentiment. “Two aspects of the new framework are for me particularly important. The first is it focuses on what Departments can accomplish in the future, rather than focusing on detailed analysis of what they did in the past. The second is it promotes important policy goals for both Departments and physicians, in such areas as quality improvement and physician wellness, along with SEAMO funding to help Departments achieve them.”