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RACGP to make CPD simpler, stronger and seamless
President Dr Harry Nespolon writes about upcoming revisions to the Continuing Professional Development registration standard.
‘The RACGP is doing all it can to ensure the [CPD] system is designed by, and for, practitioners working at the coalface,’ Dr Nespolon writes.
The Medical Board of Australia (MBA) recently released its draft revised registration standard for continuing professional development (CPD) for public consultation.
Understandably, as there is with any major change that has the potential to affect the way we practise, members have raised some concerns.
GPs are among Australia’s most qualified and respected professionals. We do not need someone looking over our shoulder or holding our hand to ensure we are doing the right thing. We especially don’t need an administrative body, with no expertise in education or CPD requirements, dictating how doctors in this country should continue to uphold the standards the RACGP has maintained for decades.
CPD is the domain of medical colleges, not office administrators. The MBA’s role is to certify that practitioners have fulfilled the CPD requirements set by us, and as such the RACGP is doing all it can to ensure the system is designed by, and for, practitioners working at the coalface.
This means flexibility, relevant topics, and a wide range of practice disciplines, all with the sole objective of safeguarding the provision of world-class primary healthcare.
Let me be clear: There is no evidence to suggest the current CPD Program is producing anything but outstanding doctors. Any proposals that threaten to impose unreasonable or counterproductive demands on already stretched GPs will be opposed by the RACGP.
Medicine has a culture of continuous self-improvement and I expect that to remain the case, regardless of the changes proposed by the MBA.
I would like to assure everyone that the RACGP has not only listened, but is working diligently to address these concerns. Looking ahead to the new triennium, we’ve adopted a collaborative approach with members and CPD education providers in order to limit disruption and make the entire experience easier.
The last thing we as a college want to do is increase the workload for our members, as we are acutely aware of the substantial demands already placed on your time every day. The RACGP has one of the best, and most respected, CPD requirements in the world. We are working to seamlessly transition to a revised CPD system that is even simpler, stronger and more adaptable, without member impediment.
Finally, given one of my central commitments before becoming RACGP President was reforming CPD, I would also like to reassure members that the RACGP CPD Program for the new triennium will not include a return to PLAN. A professional development template will be available, but I stress it is optional until the regulator mandates otherwise.
I invite any member with ongoing concerns or suggestions about the future direction of CPD to engage in the MBA’s consultation process, which will remain open until 14 February 2020, or contact the RACGP directly to form part of our united response.
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continuing professional development CPD Medical Board of Australia RACGP
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