Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is how doctors update their knowledge and skills throughout their working lives. This includes all elements of good medical practice - clinical and non-clinical.
CPD incorporates Continuing Medical Education (CME) as well as the professional, practical, interpersonal, management as well as the life skills needed by doctors across all aspects of their day-to-day practice.
Within Professional Competence there are 4 CPD categories:
- External (maintenance of knowledge and skills) - Evidence is required for this category
- Internal (practice evaluation and development) - Evidence is required for this category
- Personal Learning
- Research or Teaching - Evidence is required for this category
Doctors must record a minimum of 40 CPD credits across each Professional Competence Year (May to April)
In addition, one Audit/Quality Improvement project is required each year
Educational activities that attract CPD should be designed to incorporate at least one of the 8 Domains of Good Professional Practice
What are the 8 Domains of Good Professional Practice