A guide to earning CPD points in Australia & New Zealand

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a crucial part of a medical professional's career. It ensures that you keep up with the latest medical knowledge, research, and technologies, maintain your competencies, and deliver the best patient care. This article offers a guide to earning CPD points in Australia and New Zealand.

Understanding CPD Requirements

In both Australia and New Zealand, you are required to earn a certain number of CPD points annually to maintain your registration and continue practicing.

In Australia, the Medical Board mandates that doctors must undertake CPD activities worth a minimum of 50 points every year. Similarly, in New Zealand, the Medical Council of New Zealand stipulates that doctors must accumulate a minimum of 50 CPD hours annually.

Ways to earn CPD points

There are several ways you can earn CPD points in both countries. These include:

Attending educational events and courses:

Participating in seminars, conferences, workshops (like ALS courses), and lectures can contribute to your CPD points. These events often cover recent advancements in medicine, updates on treatment protocols, and discussions on current health issues.

Completing accredited online modules:

There are many online platforms that provide accredited CPD courses on a wide range of medical topics. This flexibility allows doctors to earn points at their own pace and convenience.

Research and publications:

Conducting research, writing case studies, or publishing articles in medical journals can also contribute to your CPD points. This encourages doctors to contribute to the medical knowledge base and stay abreast of the latest research.

Peer review and clinical audits:

Participating in peer review processes and clinical audits not only provides valuable feedback for practice improvement but can also earn you CPD points.

Teaching and Mentoring:

Imparting knowledge and skills to medical students, junior doctors, or colleagues can be another way to earn CPD points.

Recording and reporting CPD Points

Both the Medical Board of Australia and the Medical Council of New Zealand require doctors to maintain a record of their CPD activities and provide evidence upon request. Therefore, it's important to keep track of all your CPD activities, including the type of activity, the date, the number of hours spent, and any certificates or proof of completion.

Using CPD to enhance your career

CPD is more than just a regulatory requirement - it's an opportunity for continuous learning and professional growth. By strategically choosing CPD activities aligned with your career goals or areas of interest, you can expand your skills, deepen your knowledge, and enhance your practice.

CPD is an integral part of a doctor's career in Australia and New Zealand. By understanding the requirements, exploring diverse ways to earn points, and meticulously tracking their CPD activities, doctors can meet their CPD points target while improving their competence and providing quality patient care. Remember, continuing professional development is a journey, not a destination.