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The pre-assessment questionnaire (PAQ) is an opportunity for the anesthesiologist or FPA to describe their scope of practice, practice location, and other practice descriptors within the community-based dental facility.

Anesthesiologists or FPAs can also use the PAQ to seek support and education on any aspect of their practice.

The practice environment assessment reviews the key areas related to the delivery of anesthesia services, including:

• all aspects of the preoperative, intraoperative and post-operative care
• the storage, use, and record keeping of medications, anesthesia monitoring equipment, appropriate resuscitation equipment and medication
• post-operative monitoring and discharge

The assessment is based on the Non-Hospital Medical and Surgical Facilities Accreditation Program (NHMSFAP) accreditation standards, guidelines and policies as they relate to the provision of anesthesia care.

Peer assessment

A peer assessment is the review of an anesthesiologist or FPA's medical record by an experienced peer assessor. A review of records allows the assessor to develop a picture of the assessed anesthesiologist or FPA's quality of practice and approach to patient care.

Anesthesiologists and FPAs practising in a community-based dental facility are asked to provide copies of anesthesia dental records to the College for a peer assessor to review. Instructions for selecting an appropriate chart and tips for assembling a chart submission are provided.

Depending on the outcome of the peer assessment, the anesthesiologist or FPA may be required to participate in practice improvement activities (such as completing an action plan, attending an education course, or demonstrating improvements in a follow-up chart review).

The assessment follows the Non-Hospital Medical and Surgical Facilities Accreditation Program (NHMSFAP) accreditation standards, guidelines and policies as they relate to the provision of anesthesia care.

Peer interview

The peer interview provides an opportunity for the anesthesiologist or FPA and peer assessor to engage in a meaningful discussion about various aspects of the assessment. It is approximately one hour and focuses on continuous quality improvement.

The peer assessor may draw information for the interview from the following sources:

• practice environment assessment
• peer assessment

The peer assessor conducts the peer interview with these key areas in mind:

• understanding the anesthesiologist or FPA's context and giving an opportunity to bring up issues, concerns, or questions
• clarifying any issues which may have arisen during the patient chart review
• gathering further information which cannot be accessed through the review of the patient charts
• assessing the anesthesiologist or FPA's insight regarding concerns, readiness for change and coaching
• suggesting educational resources or quality-improvement strategies to address any identified concerns
• highlighting opportunities for practice improvement, including continuing professional development

Peer assessors are trained to use a facilitated feedback model (R2C2) to conduct the feedback session. Over the years, survey responses from physicians and surgeons have consistently indicated that the peer interview is considered one of the most valuable components of the program.