Let us pick up the previous blog stream and take this concept of Continual Professional Development (CPD) to the next level. You may recall I discussed the notion of CPD and the importance of making ‘good decisions’ so what does this look like in real terms?

 Let us take a look at a very simple framework drawn together to help you take control of your CPD in terms of getting it right the first time. Quick, cheap & easy is very rarely an answer but more often it is a lack of investment and time in maintaining your level of knowledge and clinical skills. We have no choice in this matter as a professional, CPD is very much part of our registration – get it right!

If you were buying a car or a holiday you would need to be sure of a number of things and the same if you were looking for insurance for either of these. I don’t know about you but in my eyes they are big decisions, would quick, cheap and easy be your approach?

If you are that ‘last minute.com’ person making poor choices is still not the right approach. So let us take a look at a very simple framework – use it as a checklist every time you engage in CPD activity, and it can be applied to training courses too. Just because a provider is well known or has the resources to have fantastic advertising campaigns do not be fooled. I fell for it once then realised, remember the General Dental Council hold you responsible on the whole for your choices not the provider.    

So here is the simple framework:

Is the CPD content/activity relative to my work and progression?

Does the CPD meet the GDC requirements?

-          Is the person/s delivering or providing the CPD appropriately qualified/trained and up to date   in relation to the specific topic/activity?

-          Are there clear aims/objectives/learning outcomes?

-          Is there a clear quality assurance process undertaken and made available for you to see?

-          Are you given the opportunity to feedback on the content/presenter, provider and your learning experience (not on the refreshments)?

Does the certificate you receive have all of the required detail on it including your name and GDC number, the date, the topic, the provider and the venue?

Have you been given the correct number of hours for the event/activity? (breaks must be omitted)

Have you included the core topics relevant to you and your work and the correct number of hours in your PDP?

In addition to all of this, have you kept a clear and concise record of your CPD activity and carried it out over the 5 year cycle? End loading is not best practice.

Further reading on quality CPD can be found in the Copdend Quality Assurance Framework … happy reading. Look out for the final blog on this subject developing a Professional Development Portfolio (PDP).

Author Fiona Ellwood

Part 1 Rethinking CPD

Part 2 Making good CPD decisions

Posted by Gemma