When the first conversations around Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) took root in Canada in the early 2000s, the vision was bold: move beyond time-based training models to an outcomes-based framework that prioritizes the attainment of specific, measurable competencies.
Now, 20 years after the CanMEDS 2005 competency framework was adopted as the educational standard by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), the last Canadian cohort of residents is set to transition to the Competency by Design (CBD) model by 2026. Yet, even with this milestone on the horizon, CBME remains a work in progress.
A work in progress
Despite all the coordinated national efforts, the full implementation of CBME has proven complex. As noted in a 2019 Symposium of Academic Emergency Physicians, implementation challenges include inconsistency in EPA observation, difficulty in achieving standardization across programs, and a lack of real-time feedback for learners.
A 2024 study published in BMC Medical Education highlighted that when platforms aren’t designed with medical learners and faculty in mind, challenges such as fragmented feedback and engagement barriers can arise. Fortunately, the evolution of CBME management solutions is helping programs overcome these early hurdles.
One system, many roles
At the heart of CBME lies a need for coordination: residents must complete EPA-based assessments; supervisors must observe, evaluate, and provide feedback; competence committees must track progression across cohorts, and so on. Academic advisors, program directors, and schedulers also each play a role. If these functions are split across siloed systems, chaos quickly ensues.
The real obstacle isn’t the vision behind CBME, but the reality that, until recently, most systems weren’t equipped to handle the volume, type and complexity of data it requires. Today, it’s clear that CBME and technology must evolve hand-in-hand.
Knowing what to look for
What can we conclude from the past 20 years of CBME evolution? One key insight is that the success of CBME today depends not only on curriculum reform, but also on the systems that support its day-to-day implementation.
That’s why Canadian faculties are increasingly seeking Canadian providers that offer not just software, but true partnerships. The ideal partner has real-world experience in deploying CBME, understands the common implementation challenges, knows how to overcome them, and brings the infrastructure to adapt as national frameworks like the Royal College’s CBD continue to evolve.
Taking the next step
To explore what to look for in a medical learner management platform—and how to align your technology with the evolving demands of CBME—you can join LGI Healthcare Solutions for an upcoming webinar: “Choosing a Medical Learner Management Platform in 2025: 10 Key Criteria.” Whether you’re planning a transition, optimizing existing systems, or preparing for CBD’s final rollout in 2026, this session provides actionable insights to help future-proof your programs and support the next generation of Canadian physicians.
Date & Time: April 24th at 12:00 PM (EST)
Register now by clicking here.
(After April 24th, the link will direct you to the webinar recording.)
