FMER-PRAM Crossroad Panel Discussions
Date: Friday, June 12, 2026
Panel #3 – FMER-PRAM Crossroad Panel Discussions Panel #3 – Patient groups in family medicine: opportunities for care and implications for medical education
Overview:
On June 12, 2026, the second Family Medicine Education Research Group (FMER)-PRAM Crossroad Panel Discussion will be held at.the McGill Faculty Club and Conference Center.
The panel will present complementary perspectives on patient groups in family medicine, integrating current evidence, clinical practice, and medical education, and will include insights from an ongoing realist review on shared decision-making.
The discussion will focus on implementation challenges, the role of facilitation, and implications for practice and training, followed by an interactive session to engage participants.
Panel Facilitators:
Anne Cockcroft, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Member PRAM
Charo Rodriguez, MD, MSc, PhD, Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Director FMER
Date: Friday, June 12, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: McGill Faculty Club and Conference Center, Billiard Room, 3450 McTavish, Montréal, QC H3A 0E5
Learning objectives: By the end of the panel, attendees will be able to:
- Better know and understand current state of the art and science of patient groups in family medicine
- Identify current challenges to adopting patient groups in family medicine and in education of family doctors
- Understand the potential contribution of trained facilitation to improve patient groups in family medicine practice
- Discuss about the implications of participation science for better educating family doctors in patient groups
Physician Credits: This discussion panel is accredited for 3 Mainpro+ credits.
Registration:
Registration is now open for the second FMER-PRAM Crossroad Panel Discussion: Shared Decision-Making in Family Medicine Education and Practice. This in-person event has places for a maximum of 100 attendees. Doors will open at 8:00 AM, with a complimentary breakfast and an opportunity to mingle before the formal panel begins at 9:00 AM prompt. Attendance is free, but registration is required due to limited seating. Don’t miss this chance to participate in a pivotal dialogue about the role of participation science and family medicine education in supporting adolescent health.
To secure your spot, please register here as soon as possible.
Panelists
Neil Andersson, MD, PhD
Professor
Dept of Family Medicine
McGill University
Gary Bloch, MD, CCFP, FCFP
Associate Professor
Dept of Family and Community Medicine
University of Toronto
Drawing on current scientific evidence, Dr. Andersson will introduce the concept of patient groups, focusing on their neurobiological and participation-based foundations. He will outline core requirements for implementation in family medicine and examine both the opportunities and structural challenges associated with integrating patient groups into practice.
Dr. Bloch will ground the discussion in clinical reality. As a practicing family physician with direct experience using patient groups, he will share practical insights on implementation, patient engagement, and the day-to-day considerations that shape feasibility in primary care.
Joan Butterworth, MEd
Leadership Program Facilitator
Student Services
McGill University
Keith Todd, PhD, MDCM, CCFP
Assistant Clinical Professor
Dept of Family Medicine
McGill University
Joan Butterworth, a leadership training facilitator at McGill University, will lead the interactive component of the session. She will guide structured small-group discussions focused on applying the panel’s concepts to practice and education, supporting engagement, reflection, and translation into real-world settings.
Dr. Todd will examine the educational implications of patient groups for family medicine training. His focus will be on integrating participation-based care models into postgraduate education and continuing professional development, with attention to curriculum design and competency development.
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