When considering the possible outcome of any given situation, I often find myself beginning with the worst possible scenario and working backwards from that (my friends will attest to this). I don’t see that as a bad thing. It’s RT Risk Management 101 – prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Even in my position at the CRTO, when I am asked, “what if…” I think it’s helpful to imagine the least desirable possible outcome and see if we can live with that.

Let’s try that strategy out on one question that we get asked from time to time regarding the CRTO’s QA Program which is, “What if I just don’t do it?” That’s actually an easy one, because the worst case scenario is also distinctly possible. Failure to comply with the QA Program could result in the revocation of a Member’s certificate of registration. Sure it takes a bit of time, and lawyers need to get involved, but that’s the ultimate result in cases where a Member completely refuses to participate in the QA Program. Could you live with that? Which would you rather do – complete an online, open-book, multiple-choice assessment in 30 days and submit an online PORTfolio that asks for 12 learning log activities and one learning goal – or risk losing your license to practice (pay the bills/buy food, etc.)? I know what I would choose, because I like to eat.  How about you?

The reason I bring this up is because it happens from time to time.  Not a lot, fortunately, but there have been a couple of such instances in recent memory where a Member has said “No” to QA.  When that happens I am always a bit astounded, because the QA requirements aren’t that onerous and in reality Members are learning all the time, whether they recognize or it not. So choosing to dig in one’s heels and refusing spend a few hours so that you end up in a “worst case scenario,” I think we can agree, is just not worth it.

In addition, the QA Program has a deferral process and you will find both the members of the QA Committee and the CRTO staff to be quite reasonable. We all want the same thing, which is to have competent RTs providing the best possible care to their patients. Saying “no” to quality assurance is not the way to achieve that.