CPD is an essential component of the profession for doctors as it boosts both confidence and abilities. All medical professionals, including doctors, surgeons, and physicians, can benefit from continued professional development to become more informed and effective in their roles.
Why Medical CPD is Important for Doctors
It's easy to get comfortable with what you know, sticking to traditional practices after medical school, which is why it's vital to keep your knowledge and practice at the highest level. CPD (Continued Professional Development) allows you to reflect on your practice beyond medical school to explore prospective changes in society, giving you time to respond to new demands, and enhance your career prospects. The Department of Health defines CPD for doctors as a method of ensuring medical professionals remain competent; “A key development in ensuring that healthcare professionals maintain their competence is the move among regulatory bodies to develop CPD strategies for the revalidation/re-certification of their members."
CPD Requirements for Doctors
There are several requirements that must be met in order to be CPD compliant. These needs are met through completing internal and external activities which will help you develop your learning profile.
As a doctor, you are obligated to attend CPD sessions every year. These sessions, which are measured in either hours, credits, or points, verify your CPD compliance. Having said that, each CPD course is slightly different, and each will detail how you acquire CPD recognition. But, rest assured, they should all acknowledge your CPD achievement.
How Many CPD Points Does a Doctor Require?
Doctors must complete a minimum of 50 hours of CPD every year. A minimum of 25 of these must be external credits, where the learning takes place with others outside of the workplace. The remaining hours may be completed internally within your professional practice.
If this is all becoming a little confusing, the easiest way to explain how CPD points work has been described below.
CPD UK gave this statement as an example to further explain things. “A one-day authorised CPD training course is an excellent example of this. The CPD Hours would be 7 if the training began at 9 a.m. and ended at 5 p.m, with a one-hour lunch break in between”.
What Activities are Included in CPD for Doctors
CPD is simply a professional method of extending your learning. Through various activities, you will have the opportunity to construct a learning profile that will be a reflection of what you learn throughout CPD courses and activities.
Project work, peer review, and reflective practice are all examples of activities you may undertake across the CPD. The Allied Health Professions project ‘Demonstrating Competence through CPD' has precisely defined and adapted these activities.
Here is a list of additional tasks that doctors could complete as part of their CPD:
- Team teaching
- Peer observations
- Mentoring colleagues
- Workshops
- Action research
- Subject learning
Examples of CPD Courses for Doctors:
There are numerous CPD courses available through training organisations that will earn CPD points. They can be completed in whichever way is most convenient for you. For example, via distant learning, online learning, or face-to-face learning. We live in an adaptable world where CPD is flexible around your lifestyle.
Each course will also differentiate by topic, so if you want to study more about a particular issue, such as chronic pain, that option is available to you. The following are some examples of CPD for doctors courses you could take:
- Cardiology
- Obesity
- Dermatology
- Respiratory medicine
- Acupuncture
CPD Courses for Doctors at Breeze Academy
At Breeze Academy, we offer a variety of CPD courses for doctors. All of our courses enable you to totally immerse yourself in current medical developments to advance your own career. Check out some of our CPD courses here, or get in touch for more information.