All healthcare professionals are expected to keep themselves up to date through a self-driven series of educational activities relevant to their practice. For clinicians, this is reviewed as part of their annual appraisal process, and records of the learning achieved contribute to the evidence an individual provides for their revalidation and assessment of fitness to practice.
What is CPD?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) describes the learning activities clinicians engage in to develop and enhance their performance and proficiency. It covers the development of knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours across all areas of professional practice.
Our CPD Programme, which started in 1996 in response to the requirement to provide documentation showing participation in CPD activities, has evolved in recent years to focus on reflection and self-certification.
There is no regulatory requirement to acquire a specific number of points each year. However, for clinicians who wish to be guided by a credit-based approach, a target of 50 points each year, primarily in the Clinical and Academic category, is suggested.
One CPD point normally equates to one hour of educational activity, preferably demonstrated through a reflective note. It is the responsibility of clinicians to ensure that they undertake a range of CPD activities that reflects the needs of their practice and their own learning.
- Clinical and Academic: Internal
- Clinical and Academic: External
- Clinical and Academic: Self-directed
- Professional and Managerial
Clinicians are expected to tailor their CPD activity to meet the objectives of their Professional Development Plans (PDPs).
Please contact [email protected] for further details.
How does the RCOphth support CPD?
The College provides support for the appraisal of ophthalmologists by:
- providing wide ranging educational opportunities
- encouraging the practice of reflection to heighten learning
- delivering webinars about CPD, reflection and appraisal
Revalidation
The revalidation pages contain information useful to ophthalmologists preparing for appraisal. It also aims to help appraisers understand the significance of the supporting and in setting or reviewing appropriate objectives for a PDP.