What Benefit Do Doctors Get From CPD?

Medicine is a profession that has, since its inception, been characterised by lifetime learning and teaching, highlighted from the beginning in the Hippocratic Oath. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the formalisation of a process that goes back centuries and that doctors have automatically incorporated into their daily practice. This formalisation and documentation allows doctors to demonstrate to patients, peers, government bodies and the community at large that doctors are committed to the maintenance of high standards of quality, of care and patient safety. At present, Commonwealth legislation does not require medical practitioners to participate in a CPD program, although the impending national registration process may include this requirement. Some state medical boards require evidence of participation in CPD relevant to the practitioner's field of practice. Hospitals and area health services increasingly require demonstration of participation in CPD activities.

All the medical colleges in Australia now provide CPD programs and require their fellows to participate. Whilst the details of the programs offered by the Colleges differ, their design and structure is very similar. Details of individual programs are available through the college websites and reporting of activities can be performed online.

The aim of CPD is to improve quality in clinical practice. The process works best when the participant is motivated and self directed. The CPD programs have been expanded to allow participation in a variety of activities spanning the range of professional competencies required of doctors: medical expert, communicator, collaborator, manager, health advocate, scholar and professional.

Most of the current programs assess educational activities over a three year period, although some colleges are moving to annual reporting. Participants are required to clock a minimum number of points in the education cycle. All the current CPD programs have placed a greater emphasis on the importance of self-reflective learning and activities more concerned with the application, rather than the acquisition, of knowledge and skills. Activities that involve a greater level of application and reflection attract a higher number of points. Participants are encouraged to complete a personal development plan at the start of the education cycle to help them identify weaknesses and plan their CPD activities accordingly, including their learning objectives and taking into account their preferred learning style. There is also a greater emphasis on clinical audit, a process that allows doctors to:

• know and record the outcomes of their treatment;
• compare the outcomes with performance data from colleagues, other institutions and clinical literature;
• examine any defects, which become apparent from audit data; and
• adopt and implement strategies to prevent re-occurrence.

All of the above mentioned CPD activities are likely to enhance patient safety and reduce the incidence of adverse outcomes. This has the added benefit of reducing the likelihood of medico-legal claims against doctors. Doctors insured by Invivo are able to claim CPD points for loss prevention activities undertaken in their practices in many cases.

One of the most important benefits of CPD is that lifelong learning enhances our capabilities. Doctors report greater engagement with their profession and greater job satisfaction.

Dr. Catherine Green
Ophthalmologist
Invivo Medical Advisor

The views expressed herein are those of the author and should not be otherwise attributed.