Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is
the process of self-assessment and self-directed, life-long
learning that complements formal undergraduate and postgraduate
education and training. It enables psychiatrists to acquire new
knowledge and skills as well as to maintain and improve their
standards across all areas of their practice. CPD should also
encourage and support specific changes in practice and career
development. Ultimately, these activities are closely associated
with enhancing the quality of care provided to patients.
The College’s guidance on CPD has been in
existence since 2001, but with changing expectations - from within
and outside the profession - it has become necessary to revise key
areas of the guidance. (This report replaces
CR90. Good Psychiatric Practice: CPD from 2001.)
The new policy is intended to engage with
those members who are signed up for CPD but who do not currently
submit returns, as well as making CPD much more structured and
user-friendly for all those who are enrolled on the programme. It
emphasises setting and reviewing learning objectives as part of the
annual CPD cycle, ensuring that peer group structures are not only
retained but are strengthened through recognition for time and
activity, that e-learning is promoted, and that ‘portfolio’
psychiatrists do not feel excluded. These include psychiatrists who
do valuable work in non-NHS managed organisations, private
psychiatrists, those who work post-retirement from the NHS, and
others.
The number of hours required to ensure
compliance with the policy will remain at 50. A very significant
change, though, is that the External/Internal classification gives
way to a more practical distinction between Clinical, Academic and
Professional activities. We would still recommend that
psychiatrists bear in mind that participating in local CPD is
important for them, their colleagues and trainees, but this change
makes it much less restrictive on how they achieve their annual
requirement.
This guidance applies to all psychiatrists,
consultants, speciality doctors, associate specialists, senior
clinical medical officers, staff grade doctors and other doctors in
similar posts.