Introduction
Receiving education and being good at one’s job is not enough to become a great specialist. Professionals need to keep working on their skills constantly. Continuing professional development (CPD) is necessary for those who strive to achieve the best results at their workplace.
Activities That Constitute CPD
CPD is the process of maintenance, enhancement, and enriching skills, knowledge, and personal qualities needed for the performance of professional duties (1). CPD is significant for laboratory medicine specialists since it helps to provide patients with the best service (2). CPD is constituted by such activities as formal or educational learning, professional activity, work-based learning, and self-directed learning (3). The following categories of CPD may be identified:
- distance learning (teleconference, e-conference);
- activities suggested by National Society and other professional associations;
- continuing learning events (workshops, congresses);
- publishing articles in professional scholarly journals or performing activities related to them (reviewing, editing);
- authoring professional books or book chapters;
- professional training (practical laboratory work);
- patents in the professional field;
- supervision of Ph.D. students or specialist training (2).
To acknowledge the efforts and achievements of the professionals engaged in CPD, a credit system has been developed. According to this scheme, a particular number of points is designated to every hour spent on CPD activities (2; 3).
The Ways of Recording CPD Activities
Recording CPD enables specialists to reach their objectives faster and helps to target the educational demands more effectively (4). A CPD log should include such data as the location, date, and affiliation of the activity. Also, it is necessary to define the type and title of activity and the person (people) who arranged it. Further, a specialist describes the venue and leaves comments and suggestions about it. Also, the log should contain a list of the main points of the session. The CPD log should be checked and signed by a supervisor.
Some companies prefer online logs to handwritten ones. A CPD scheme suggested by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries presupposes using an online record (5). When using this method, a participant has to classify the event into “external” or “other” (5). Depending on the chosen activity, a person needs to describe it in a more detailed form. Further, the number of hours spent on the activity should be mentioned. Participants should keep evidence of all activities for two years (5).
Audit and Recognition of CPD
CPD records are audited and checked with the purpose of recognition by professional bodies such as the National Association of Testing Authorities of Australia. According to regulations, a professional has to complete at least 20 hours of CPD activities annually and at least 120 hours in a three-year period (6). If a person has reduced working hours, they may apply for the reduction of CPD obligations. The reduction may be partial or total, and an applicant has to provide a substantial reason and supporting documents to obtain it (6). An example of such evidence may be a letter from work confirming that the employee has been absent for a period of time or a medical certificate proving that the person’s health condition impacted the ability to complete CPD.
Conclusion
Continuing professional development is a determinant of a professional’s desire to improve skills and knowledge. By participating in CPD activities, specialists remain informed of the newest trends in their field and become able to raise patient satisfaction. CPD is necessary for laboratory medical specialists since their profession requires awareness of contemporary approaches and the ability to apply them in practice.
References
- The importance of continuing professional development. Continuing Professional Development. Web.
- Topic E, Beletic A, Zima T. Continuing professional development crediting system for specialists in laboratory medicine within 28 EFLM national societies. Bioch Med. 2013;23(3): 332-341.
- Continuing professional development: learning for life. London: Royal Society of Biology. Web.
- Career management quick guide: recording CPD activities. The Institution of Engineering and Technology. Web.
- How to record a CPD. Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. Web.
- Continuing professional development. CPA Australia. Web.