Basic principles
The groundwork for the present College policy
for continuing professional development (CPD) was laid out in 1994.
Then, as now, it was evident that learning in medicine does not
stop at undergraduate and postgraduate levels; rather it is
imperative that in order to maintain our skills and knowledge
beyond these formative years and so that we can treat our patients
in the best possible manner, with current, modern methods of
therapy, we remain upto date with the literature. The policy has
been updated twice; in 2001, and more recently in 2009 (Good
Psychiatric Practice. Continuing Professional Development,
2010).
The basic principles of CPD are that
educational and training objectives are set in advance, that all
such initiatives are measured for time spent (at least 50 hours per
annum is the College’s recommendation), that they are properly
resourced either by employing institutions or the individual, and
that wherever possible there is a balance of Internal (broadly
speaking within the organisation one works for) or External
(usually classed as regional, national and international)
educational and training opportunities. These principles have been
agreed across all Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties, with the
emphasis very much on self-directed learning. However, central to
our College system is peer group participation, and we no longer
certify educational events from the centre.
There is a direct link between CPD and
Personal Development Plans (PDPs):
- PDPs are personal and professional constructs
which enable us to become good psychiatrists.
- CPD is the educational and training path that
helps us to achieve these constructs.
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