Self-Assessment
All Registrants who hold a General Certificate of Registration are required to annually complete the self-assessment component of the program.
The Quality Assurance Committee has designed various self-assessments based on different Standards of Practice and Guidelines. The self-assessments use questions and scenarios to help you evaluate and improve your practices where necessary. They are designed to be supportive and useful for your professional development and are a valuable opportunity for you to learn and grow as a professional.
Please note that the self-assessment component needs to be completed annually as part of your registration renewal and prior to the March 31 renewal deadline.
2025 Self-Assessment Questionnaires
For the 2025 registration year, Registrants need to complete three (3) online self-assessment questionnaires.
These include two (2) mandatory Self-Assessments: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) and Informed Consent. In addition to these two mandatory self-assessments, Registrants need to complete one (1) more self-assessment of their choosing from the list of options below that suits their interests and needs.
Mandatory Self-Assessments
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB)
Patients have the right to access naturopathic care that respects their unique needs, values, and dignity. The College’s Code of Ethics reinforces the obligation of Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) to provide non-discriminatory care, regardless of factors such as race, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Given the diverse backgrounds of patients, it is essential for NDs to adopt principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) to ensure care is personalized and acknowledges the distinct experiences and needs of each individual. This involves recognizing the intersectionality of socio-cultural factors and tailoring care accordingly.
Equity in naturopathic care guarantees that all patients receive high-quality care, free from bias, regardless of their background. By valuing patients’ unique characteristics and experiences, NDs can deliver more effective, compassionate, and individualized treatment. A strong, respectful relationship between the ND and the patient, especially for those from marginalized groups, fosters a sense of belonging, which contributes to better health outcomes, as well as emotional and mental well-being. NDs must also address their own unconscious biases, as these can negatively impact care and patient trust. Promoting EDIB principles requires NDs to commit to ongoing learning and improvement to ensure equitable and inclusive care for all patients.
Informed Consent
Patients have the fundamental right to make decisions about their own health care, which is crucial for maintaining their personal dignity and autonomy. When a patient is unable to make decisions, this responsibility falls to a Substitute Decision Maker (SDM). It is essential that patients or their SDMs receive comprehensive and honest information about their condition and treatment options, allowing them to give informed and voluntary consent.
The Health Care Consent Act, 1996 (HCCA), along with the College’s Standard of Practice: Informed Consent, provides the legal framework for obtaining and documenting valid consent in all healthcare settings. These regulations ensure that consent is informed, voluntary, and free from undue influence, thereby protecting patient rights.
The EDIB and Informed Consent Self-Assessments must be completed by all Registrants holding a General Class Certificate of Registration.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB)
Additional Self-Assessments
Registrants must select one (1) of the following self-assessments to complete in addition to the two mandatory self-assessments. The additional self-assessment each focuses on an area of practice and are related to the Standards of Practice and Guidelines of the profession. The additional self-assessments are:
Restricted Titles and Dual Registration
Reporting
When completing your registration renewal form, you will be asked to confirm that you have completed your annual Self-Assessment Questionnaires. The College will provide you with a letter of completion following the March 31 registration renewal deadline. The data gathered from the self-assessment is confidential and the outcomes are not shared amongst the College departments. The self-assessment is designed to help you identify and maintain competency in order to continue to provide safe, competent and ethical care to your patients.
Your Self-Assessment completion letter should be filed and maintained in your professional portfolio for a minimum of six (6) years. The letter will be reviewed by an assessor when you are randomly selected to undergo a peer and practice assessment.