CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

JANUARY 2004

Contents Page

Preface

3

Introduction

4

CPD credit points

4

Activites

4

Professional categories

5

Recording of CPD

5

Audit

6

Appraisal

6

Allocation of points

6

Appeals

6

Providing CPD

6

APPENDIX I

CPD points for Consultants and NCCGs (SASS)

7

APPENDIX II

How to Obtain Points

8

APPENDIX III

Intercollegiate Guidelines for Assessment of

10

Proposed CPD Events

2

APPENDIX IV

CPD Approved Activities

11

APPENDIX V

Personal Development Plans

13

APPENDIX VI

CPD Co-ordinators Job Description

15

APPENDIX VII

Application for CPD Programme Approval

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Preface The CPD programme of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists started in 1996. The initial fears and doubts of CME/CPD have been dispelled and over 80% of eligible participants have signed up to the College’s programme. With clinical governance, annual appraisal and revalidation becoming essential ingredients of clinical practice, participation in CPD is no longer optional. It has been the case for some time that registration for CPD is necessary to hold any College post, including that of examiner. This “sanction” is likely to be extended such that, not only registration but accrual of the stipulated number of points will become a prerequisite to holding College posts. In the fullness of time, responsibility for training junior doctors will also be determined by full participation in CPD. The College has taken on board the views of our membership and the lessons learnt from our first eight years experience with CME/CPD, and implemented a major revision of the CPD programme. An element of ‘value’ has been added to the points system of scoring CPD activity. Participants will be expected to record in more detail what they have learnt. At the same time, the number of points required per annum has been reduced to 50, the categories consolidated and the cycle extended to a period of five years. Participation in activities related to administration, management, information technology, teaching in training, and reading journal articles, will now be recognised as essential components of personal and professional development. Continuing Professional Development has been incorporated into the template of Personal Development Plans (PDPs) and all individuals will be expected to tailor their CPD activity to meet the objectives of their PDPs.

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Introduction Continuing Professional Development (CPD) may be defined as the maintenance, improvement and broadening of professional and personal competence by a continuous process of updating knowledge and skills1 . Its effectiveness in raising clinical standards is widely accepted. CPD in this country has in the past been undertaken by individual ophthalmologists on a voluntary basis and sometimes in an ad hoc manner. Many have benefited from the opportunities offered by meetings, conferences and courses, registered for CPD accreditation, some have engaged in these activities reluctantly and to a limited degree and very few have experienced any monitoring of their CPD activities. The rapid change of medical knowledge and techniques, the high level of public information and expectation, and the pressure from the government for audit, accountability and revalidation now means that CPD needs to take place within a formal and structured framework. The Department of Health had agreed in principle to allocate sessional time within the NHS for CPD activity, including audit. The College therefore wishes to promote a programme of CPD in which every ophthalmologist, except those in training, must take part. The scheme currently remains a voluntary activity and gives members and fellows an opportunity to record the various categories of their CPD activities. Each ophthalmologist is encouraged to identify and address his or her own educational, personal and professional needs2 . CPD will form a major part of each ophthalmologist’s personal development plan (PDP), and appraisal leading to improvements in communication between professional groups and teams. As the various medical Royal Colleges refine their programmes, along with ours, it is possible that CPD will become obligatory and demonstration of satisfactory participation, a condition for continued practice within the National Health Service and private sector. The programme is open to all Fellows and Members and others may join by becoming Affiliate Members. It is designed for all ophthalmologists whether or not they are employed within the NHS. The programme is also open to non-members of the College who will be charged an annual fee. Details of the current fee will be available from the College.

CPD Credit Points The consensus view is that a “points” system provides the most effective way of monitoring standards and is the easiest to administer. It should be stressed that CPD will not be based on any formal examinations. It is important that employers allocate time and resources to allow ophthalmologists to take part in CPD. Contractual obligations and job plans may need to be defined more precisely to identify the time that is to be committed to CPD.

Activities Each specialist is expected to undertake an individual programme of CPD combining private study with other educational activities. These may be at a local, regional, national or international level. The local and regionally based activities are particularly important and standards must be maintained at a uniformly high level (Appendicies I and II). Individual CPD programmes must include a broad spectrum of activity to avoid excessive bias towards any particular category. While the CPD Sub-committee will take responsibility for assessing national and international meetings, regional CPD Co-ordinators will be responsible for assessment, recognition and validation of regional and local activities. They will also maintain a list of approved activities and corresponding credits and a list of CPD participants. Where meetings attract support from several specialties, it has been agreed that different Colleges will grant mutual recognition and allocate equal points. This is reflected in the application form for meeting organisers, which is used by most Royal Colleges. (Appendix VII - which may be photocopied for use.)

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2

Freedman A., Davies K. and Philips M. 2001 Continuing Professional Development in the UK: Attitudes and Experiences of Practitioners, Bristol, PARN Hayes T.M. 1995. Continuing Medical Education; A Personal View. Brit Med J. 310: 994-6

Time must be made available for the ophthalmologist’s individual programme and study leave must be used for his or her own education. Although lecturing and examining may earn CPD credits, they should not be counted against study leave. Categories A

Local/Regional Postgraduate Meetings or Teaching Activities (including Basic Life Support)

B

External Academic Meetings (including contributions to Scientific Papers and Presentations)

C

Self Directed Activities (including Examining and Reading Journals)

D

Training in Management/Administration/Teaching/ Information Technology

N.B Points must be accrued in all categories over the five year cycle.

Professional Categories With the reduction in the number of points needed per year Consultant and Non Consultant Career Grade Staff (Staff and Associate Specialists – SASs) are merged into one professional category. According to the Terms and Conditions of Service Consultants and NCCGs (SASs) are entitled to “30 days, including off duty days within the leave period in any period of 3 years, in relation to leave with pay and expenses in the UK”. Consultants and NCCGs (SASs) should accrue 250 points within each successive 5 year period. The above figures apply equally to full-time and part-time ophthalmologists. Examples are given in Appendix I.

Recording CPD The College provides a diary for participants to record their CPD activity. Participation in the various categories of educational activity should be recorded by the individual participant in the diary. Levels of CPD activity should be monitored by CPD Co-ordinators and advice will be offered to those who do not accrue the required points. Every CPD participant will be issued with a paper CPD Diary upon registration that can be inserted into the College Annual Diary. Participants using the on-line system to manage their CPD activities can then transfer the information onto their on-line diary without making submissions to the College. Recording CPD Activities On-line Participants will record their CPD activities directly onto their individual on-line CPD Diary. Annual returns for CPD will be calculated on-line and an individual participant report can be printed off by the participant for appraisal and revalidation purposes. This can be done annually for a participant’s personal record or ad hoc as the need arises. The College will also be able to access information recorded on-line by participants in its CPD Programme. Recording CPD Activities without using the On-line System Participating individuals will file annual returns of CPD activity with the College. The College will record the level of CPD activity for each participating ophthalmologist and will acknowledge the level achieved. This facility will only be available until 1 January 2005. After this date participants are expected to use the online system to officially record their CPD activities.

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Audit The College will audit annually the CPD participation of a proportion of registered participants and verify in part or whole their participation in CPD activities and points accrued, as claimed in their diaries and annual returns. ‘Failure when challenged to produce sufficient evidence to support claimed credits will result in an individual’s annual statement being endorsed accordingly for the year involved and their subsequently being subject to annual audit. Suspected falsification of evidence for claimed credits may result in referral to the GMC/GDC.’3

Appraisal CPD documents will be required for presentation during local appraisal and revalidation procedures. It is imperative therefore that participants keep their diary up to date and preserve documents for the entire duration of any given CPD cycle (5 years). The documents will also be needed for the College’s CPD audit if called upon.

Allocation of points

See Appendices I and II

Up to one CPD point is allowed per hour of educational time, excluding breaks, for attendance at meetings and for teaching. The number of points self allocated would depend upon new knowledge/skills gained. Examiners are allowed 3 points for each full day. An allocation of 5 points is made for each refereed contribution to a journal or presentation at a scientific meeting. However, if in essence the same material is both presented and published, it should be counted only once. [It should be possible, if necessary, to fulfil the minimum requirement of points by other means]. Maximum number of points allocated for reading journals is only ten per year, which must be referenced and a critique on the article submitted. Points are awarded per hour of self directed project work not falling into other categories of CPD activity and subject to a detailed written description of activity, time, aim and outcome concerning knowledge gained (or change of practice). Educational visits to other units are awarded 3 points per half day and should be included under Self Directed Activity. Travel time and breaks should be excluded. CPD On-line Activities An individual may allocate themselves CPD points from on-line learning activities under self-directed activities, with referencing the particular website and allocating one point per hour of on-line learning (e.g. American Academy site).

Appeals The College Council will consider appeals concerning recognition of activities or validation. It is to be expected that an accommodating response will be given to appeals concerning pregnancy, ill health and adverse personal circumstances.

Providing CPD Organisers seeking the College’s approval of meetings, symposia, conferences etc, for allocation of CPD points, will need to apply in advance on appropriate forms. Local meetings can be approved for CPD by local CPD Co-ordinators. Organisers will also be responsible for maintaining an attendance register and for distributing and collecting course evaluation forms to and from attendees. All forms are available from the Education and Training Department or from College appointed CPD Co-ordinators. See also Appendix VII. Organisers of new meetings can seek inclusion in the ‘list of approved meetings’ by demonstrating that the meeting has run successfully with satisfactory evaluation on three consecutive occasions. See also Appendix IV.

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3 Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, 2002. CPD: Ten Principles, A Framework for Continuing Professional Development, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, London

APPENDIX I

CPD points for consultants and NCCGs (SASs) The CPD cycle will extend for five years. It will be repeated every five years and is not a continuous rolling cycle. 50 points per year (250 in five years) for consultants and NCCGs (SASs) should be accrued by participating in all four categories over a five-year period. A: B: C: D:

Maximum of 27 points per annum or 135 in five years Maximum of 20 points per annum or 100 in five years Maximum of 15 points per annum or 75 in five years Maximum of 15 points per annum or 75 in five years

Categories A

Local/Regional Postgraduate Meetings or Teaching Activities (including Basic Life Support)

B

External Academic Meetings (including contributions to Scientific Papers and Presentations)

C

Self Directed Activities (including Examining and Reading Journals)

D

Training in Management/Administration/Teaching/Information Technology

CATEGORY A

CATEGORY B

CATEGORY C

CATEGORY D

Participating in local/regional teaching programmes

Participating in international seminars/workshops

Completing journal self-assessed questions

Attending appraisal skills course

Participating in department audit meetings

Attending conferences e.g. Annual Congress

Reading journals and text

Attending a meeting on how to use Powerpoint, Access or other computer related activity

Participating in seminars/workshops

Making new presentations at conferences

Undertaking educational visits

Attending Teaching the Teachers Course

Participating in journal clubs, X-ray/pathology meetings etc.

Undertaking a research project

Writing examination questions and examining

Attending course on interview techniques

Note For credit to be awarded, the record must be followed by an evaluation of the activity.

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APPENDIX II

How to obtain points The College’s CPD Sub-committee or CPD Co-ordinators will approve all events for a set number of points. The principle of 1 point for every hour of educational activity will apply, except for examinations where it is half that figure. Simple attendance at a meeting does not signify that any professional development has occurred. In order to improve individuals’ input, participants should think about what they have obtained from a CPD activity by answering in one or two sentences the following question: ‘What have I learnt (new knowledge/information/skill) from this event and how will it affect my practice?’ Notes:

New knowledge may not always be ‘new or novel scientific advances’ but any information or knowledge that is new to the individual concerned. Not every event will provide new knowledge or skills that result in a “change in practice”. However, it may reinforce an individual’s practice or reassure the individual that his/her current practice is correct. This can be counted and should be stated as such in the answer to the question. Remember that the statements made here may be subject to scrutiny during appraisal and revalidation. At times it may be more appropriate to address each component of a scientific meeting (e.g. seminar, update, free paper session etc.) separately rather than the whole meeting as one event. For Self Directed Activity, complete ‘Notes on Self Directed Activity’ section for each such activity and then enter as below.

Example 1. Individual X attends a full day symposium on Glaucoma. The symposium was approved for a total of 6 CPD points.

A

A leading specialist in the field of Glaucoma with a purely glaucoma practice. Q

What have I learnt (new knowledge/information) from this event?

Points

Category

Allocated A

There was little new at this symposium for me in terms of knowledge. I did hear about a new technique for tying releasable suture which I will try myself.

1

B

i.e. only one point out of a possible six allocated as little new knowledge/skills gained.

B

A general ophthalmologist with no glaucoma subspecialty interest. Q


Points

Category

Allocated A

I learnt all about the new drugs available for the treatment of glaucoma and the mechanisms of action. I also learnt about the drugs to be used in first line and which are second line, and which combinations are most effective. i.e. sufficient new knowledge/skill gained to allocate the maximum number of points.

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6

B

Example 2. A consultant, who sub specialises in cornea and external eye diseases, attends a meeting for SpRs where he gives a routine half-hour talk on basic corneal disorders. Meeting approved for 3 CPD points. Q


A

No new knowledge gained as this was a standard lecture which I have given on many occasions.

Points Allocated

Category

0

A

In other words this event should neither be counted nor returned by that individual.

Example 3. An ophthalmologist attends a time management course that was approved for 2 CPD points. Q


A

I learnt how to prioritise my correspondence, delegate responsibilities and work more effectively to get more paperwork done in a shorter time.

Points Allocated

Category

2

D

Example 4. A consultant ophthalmologist reads a review article on endophthalmitis following cataract surgery for 2 hours. Q

What have I learnt (new knowledge/information) from this?

A

Nothing new but my current knowledge was refreshed and consolidated. I will treat these suspected cases with much more urgency.

Reference Critique

Points Allocated

Category

2

C

Bacterial Endophthalmitis – Evidence Based Update Ophthalmology 2002; 109: 13-23 An excellent review article

NB. Maximum number of points allocated for reading journals is only ten per year, which must be referenced and criticised.

Example 5. A consultant in a district general hospital visits a local teaching hospital to watch a list of squint surgery for half a day approved for 3 CPD points. Q

What have I learnt (new knowledge/information) from this?

A

I learnt a new technique for tying adjustable sutures in squint surgery.

Points Allocated

Category

1

C 9

APPENDIX III

Intercollegiate Guidelines for Assessment of Proposed CPD Events Events approved for CPD purposes should serve to maintain or enhance the knowledge, skills, personal and professional performance of all those career grade doctors who take part in them. They should meet an educational need and provide an effective learning experience for the participants. To help arrive at a decision as to whether or not a proposed educational event should be approved for CPD purposes, it is suggested that CPD Co-ordinators ask themselves the following questions.

1.

What are the educational objectives of the proposed event? Ideally these should be clearly stated by the organisers but in any event must be appropriate to a specified group of career post holders.

2.

Is there a clear educational need for such CPD activity? Ideally the need should already have been demonstrated or should be clearly perceived, for instance, because the meeting covers significant recent advances relevant to the practice of the intended audience.

3.

Are the location, timing and duration of the proposed meeting appropriate? They should be both practical and convenient for the intended participants.

4.

Is the proposed meeting likely to meet the educational needs of the intended audience? The number of participants required for viability will vary with the type of proposed event.

5.

Are the content and learning methods of the meeting appropriate to the educational objectives? They should be clearly related to such. The programme should cover the subject matter in depth and breadth that is appropriate to the intended audience and allow ample time for discussion.

6.

Is the proposed meeting free of undesirable commercial influence? The proposed meeting should be ethically acceptable and meetings must not be directly promotional.

7.

Are the proposed teachers appropriate? Ideally they should be accepted experts in their fields and good communicators.

8.

Is any evaluation of the relevance of the programme, its quality and effectiveness included in the proposed activity? Ideally the organisers should obtain feedback on the programme by providing participants with a means by which they can easily record their rating of the relevance, quality and effectiveness of the event.

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APPENDIX IV

CPD Approved Activities (Category B) Meetings in the UK and Ireland Altnagelvin Annual Meeting

Medical Ophthalmology Club

ARCUS

Medical Retina Group

Bury St Edmunds Symposium

Moorfields Alumni

Britain and Eire Association of Vitreo-Retinal Surgeons (BEAVRS)

Neuro-ophthalmology Group

Belfast Annual Alumni Meeting

Ophthalmological Societies

Nottingham Eye Symposium and Research Meeting

Bowman Club

Midland Ophthalmological Society

British Association for Ocular Pathology

North of England Ophthalmological Society

British Conference for Basic Eye Research

Scottish Ophthalmological Club

British Contact Lens Association

Southern Ophthalmological Society

British Facial and Audiological Implant Group

South Western Ophthalmological Society

British Isles Neuro-Ophthalmology Club (BINOC) British Isles Strabismus Association (BISA) British Prosthetic Society British Society for Refractive Surgery Cambridge Symposium Children’s Eye Group Child Vision Research Society College Annual Congress

Oxford Alumni Oxford Congress Paediatric Ophthalmology Group Paediatric Ophthalmology Meeting, Dublin Redhill Fluorescein Angiography Course Regional Audit Days Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland (Ophthalmic Section)

College Update Courses

Royal Society of Medicine (Section of Ophthalmology)

East Grinstead Corneo Plastic Meeting

Salisbury Oculoplastic Surgery Course

Eye Study Group

Scarborough Meeting

Glaucoma Society

South West Oculoplastic Society Meeting

Institute of Ophthalmology Courses

Spring Ophthalmological Symposium RCPSGlasgow

Irish College of Ophthalmologists Annual Conference

Strabismus Grand Round

Irish College of Ophthalmologists

Trends in Ophthalmology, St Thomas’s Hospital

Mayday Phacoemulsification Course

UKISCRS

Medical Contact Lens and Ocular Surface Association (MCLOSA)

UKTSSA Corneal Transplant Meeting Welsh Ophthalmic Forum

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Overseas Meetings All overseas meetings approved for CPD in the host country will be approved for the same number of points. Applications for CPD approval for overseas meetings should be submitted to the appropriate authority in the country hosting the meeting. All India Ophthalmological Society

European ROP Group

American Academy of Ophthalmology

European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

American Association of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus

European Society of Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery

American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE)

American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic Reconstruction Surgery

European Strabismological Association

ARVO Canadian Ophthalmological Society Club Jules Gonin Complications of Diabetic Retinopathy Group Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists European Congress European Corneal Conference European Eye Bank Association (EEBA) European Glaucoma Association European Neuro-ophthalmic Society European Oncology Group European Ophthalmic Pathology Society (EOPS) European Paediatric Ophthalmology Group (EPOG)

EVER Fluorescein Angiography Group International Congress of Eye Research International Neuro-ophthalmology Society International Perimetric Society International Society of Colour Vision International Society of Ocular Inflammation International Society of Ocular Trauma International Society for Ophthalmic Ultrasound International Strabismological Association Macula Society North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society Retina Society Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists Vitreous Society

This list is not exhaustive and other meetings will be considered on merit by the College, on the advice of CPD Co-ordinators and the Education Committee. Any new regular meetings will need to have run successfully for three years or three occasions before being considered for inclusion in the above lists. Meetings accredited by other Colleges for CPD purposes are all recognised by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

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APPENDIX V

Personal Development Plans Develop, consolidate and evolve A consultant’s career is likely to progress through three stages. A newly appointed consultant needs to develop and establish his/her clinical, academic and administrative portfolio. Once established to an acceptable standard, over a period of years, he/she needs to sustain and consolidate that portfolio, making only fine adjustments for changes and advances that occur over time. Finally, in the middle or later years of his/her career (may telescope with the second stage), his/her role as a consultant may evolve to assume predominantly administrative, teaching, research, clinical (subspecialty focused) or political responsibilities. Although some individuals may aspire to achieve one of these roles and work towards it from the very beginning, for others it may evolve as a result of circumstances, opportunities and shifts in interest. A personal development plan should therefore be set for a defined period of time (say 3 or 5 years) and be flexible enough, to accommodate the changing needs of the consultant’s work practices as his/her career progresses. There are two fundamental components to a PDP. The first is what the individual’s job contract requires of him/her and how he/she intends or plans to go about fulfilling those requirements. The second is what the individual wants from his/her professional career (within or outwith the job contract) and how he/she plans to meet those aspirations. A PDP should reflect both these aspects even if they represent a conflict. The following outline and subheadings may be used to draw out your PDP, detailing in each section your objectives, how you see this aspect of your job developing and what measures you will take to achieve this. It is not essential that one has an objective or plan for each of the headings mentioned. The plan could be more focused in some areas with only marginal input in other areas. Appraisal and revalidation. ‘ Appraisal seeks to establish that consultants are maintaining a good standard of practice. The GMC have established the criteria for revalidation along similar lines and it is their intention that ultimately appraisal will contribute to revalidation in the following areas: Good clinical care Working with colleagues Management activity

Maintaining good medical practice Teaching and training Research

Relationships with patients Probity Health’4

Outline PDP plan These notes are directed to someone who is just embarking on a career as an ophthalmologist [Develop] but would apply, with some modifications to established individuals [Consolidate] as well. Job description: Summary, The job description is the original job contract that you signed. It may be paraphrased into simple English but it is very likely to be used to assess your work practice and evaluate whether you fall short of it in any respects and what the reasons for that may be. Clinical care/patient/colleague relationships, Include your weekly timetable. How would you like to develop your general and special clinics in terms of personnel (junior staff, nursing staff, special nurses, optometrists etc); content (case mix of patients, number of old and new patients), availability of special investigative tools and equipment. How many theatre lists are required for the workload, specialist operations or skills you would like to introduce, develop or learn (by visiting other units etc). Special requirements for such procedures in terms of instrumentation, equipment and nurse training. These plans should be presented at Directorate level and submitted to the Trust for consideration. It is important not only to demonstrate how you would like your practice to develop but also what steps you have taken in that direction.

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General Medical Council, January 2001, Guidance for Revalidation and Appraisal in Ophthalmology

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Your personal development aim (and development of your clinical practice) is to organise all aspects of your practice in such a manner that you can deliver healthcare to your patients effectively and competently. That you undertake what you feel confident and competent in. That you acquire additional skills/knowledge before embarking on new procedures or management regimes. Teaching and training, Ask yourself the question. How much commitment do I want to make to teaching? Accordingly set out goals or objectives. Describe the amount of time you would allocate in your clinics, theatre and other non fixed sessions, to teaching. In some places teaching may be a contractual obligation. You may be required to give one lecture every so often. Outline your teaching commitments and how you plan to efficiently fulfil those. Would you like a slit lamp video/TV in one clinic room used for teaching. Other such innovations that you would want to introduce in conjunction with other colleagues participating in teaching. Any plans to attend teaching courses and assessment courses. Liaison with university department and academics in the unit if relevant. Your personal development aim is to become a good teacher and fulfil your role as an educator and meet your contract requirements towards teaching. Most consultants have an obligation to train junior staff. Develop a structured plan towards this end. By and large, the programme director will have a comprehensive plan into which you would fit. Define your role, in wards, clinics and theatres, as a trainer and obtain feedback on your performance as a trainer. Plan theatres sessions such that specific time is earmarked for training. Document this organisation of your time and effort towards training in your PDP. Plan to attend training the trainer courses. Your personal development aim is to become a good trainer, develop your training skills (and patience). Research: Clinical, basic science, establishing collaborations (multidisciplinary, multicentre), publications, grants. You may wish to lead, participate in or collaborate in research projects. These may be basic science projects or clinical studies. Set out an outline and time scale of any such project(s), what resources will be required, what element of junior training will be incorporated (for example MD thesis), how you will obtain funding and what publication(s) may come of it. What journals you would target or what meetings you would like your work presented. Your personal development aim is to become an informed scientific or clinical researcher with an ability to conceive, plan, execute and report and interpret professional knowledge. Work with others engaged in a similar pursuit and teach others research methodology. Audit: Self (what topics, aspects of work), trainees, departmental. Outline what audit(s) you wish to undertake and when. Having carried out audit(s) what lessons were learnt and what steps were taken to incorporate necessary changes in your work practice (closing the loop). Your personal development aim is to be aware of the outcome of the work you do and to constantly evaluate that outcome, and change and adapt for the better if needed. Thus ensuring that your patients get the best you can offer. Maintaining Good Medical Practice. This is about updating your knowledge and skills. This is the traditional CPD that we are all familiar with. It is this that is going to be replaced (or rather extended) with PDPs. Plan out what meetings you would like to attend, document the CPD points accrued and what information and skills you picked up that effectively changed your practice. Your personal development aim is the constant updating of your knowledge and skills against the scientific evidence that is available at the time. Management Activity. You may have an interest in political or administrative activities, more than what is routinely required. You may aspire to find yourself on various committees etc. Outline what you plan to do in such roles and how this impinges, if at all, on your clinical practice. Your personal development aim is recognition amongst peers and the ability to lead from the front and the opportunity to influence change in appropriate areas.

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APPENDIX VI

CPD Co-ordinators Job Description CPD Co-ordinators are the main channel of communication for CPD between the College and their colleagues in the regions. They should be familiar with and involve themselves in all aspects of CPD in their respective regions. Nomination for the post of CPD Co-ordinator is usually made by the Regional Advisor after consultation with colleagues in the region. The nomination is approved by the Education Committee and ratified by Council. The term of office is three years, renewable.

Their responsibilities include the following: 1. Identify all potential registrants for CPD within the region and with the help of the College’s Education and Training Department, maintain a list of CPD registered individuals in the region. 2. Assist colleagues in: Registration with the College’s CPD Programme. Interpretation of the College’s CPD Booklet and Personal Development Plans. Proper documentation of CPD activity in the paper or on-line Diary. Submission of annual CPD returns to the College. Maintenance of attendance register for internal activities. Obtaining CPD participation certificates from activity organisers. 3. Validation or withdrawal of approval of local activities. 4. Advise the College on the counselling of under achievers. 5. Inform and advise the local appraisal process if required. 6. Participate in the Audit of CPD. 7. Attend the Speciality Training Committee (or other appropriate regional forum) to facilitate liaison with postgraduate training and teaching. 8. To have available to them the records of the numbers of those registered within their region and to encourage all those not registered, to register.

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