New RCGP Credit System for CPD and
Revalidation
28th September
2009
A new credit-based system for
Continuing Professional Development to support Revalidation has
been agreed by the RCGP.
The new system enables GPs to record their CPD
based on the time spent on the activity and the impact it has on
patient care.
Each recorded hour spent on a CPD activity –
which can include planning and reflection - counts as a credit and
additional credits can be earned by demonstrating the impact of the
learning.
Credits are self assessed and verified at
appraisal and account should be taken of the need for GPs to use
their CPD to ensure that they are up to date in all areas of their
work.
RCGP Chairman Professor Steve Field said: “The
RCGP recognises that GPs have a wide variety of working
environments and careers – and that GPs have individual learning
preferences and styles. There are therefore major differences in
learning needs and activities from individual to individual. The
Impact model should help individual doctors to demonstrate their
development at appraisal.
“The development of the new system is an
excellent example of the RCGP working with GPs on the ground to
come up with a way forward that is flexible, workable and that
takes into account the pressures faced by busy GPs.
“We recognise that the system is new and that
we need to ensure it can be used easily by all GPs. In common with
other requirements for revalidation, the credit system will be
subject to evolutionary changes. We be will adapting the scheme if
necessary as we move closer to revalidation.”
Revalidation requires each Royal College to
have a system for recording and quantifying the CPD of each doctor
in their specialty. The RCGP system is unique in that it is
proposing a scheme whereby doctors can claim additional credits for
the impact that the learning activity has on their practise -
rather than credits being solely determined by time spent on
CPD.
The new system was agreed by the RCGP in
consultation with stakeholders including the General Practitioners
Committee of the BMA.
FURTHER INFORMATION
RCGP Press office – 020 7344 3137
Out of hours: 07885 958 632
press@rcgp.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
Further information on this news story can be
found in RCGP News (October) on the RCGP website.
Between September 2008 and May 2009 a pilot of
the CPD scheme - based on impact and challenge - ran at 10 sites
across all four home nations. Impact was calculated as a result of
the positive change brought about by the activity on the individual
GP or their practise.
Based on the feedback from the pilot, and
internal and external consultation, the RCGP has simplified the
Credit System so that Challenge is replaced by a time based
element. Explanatory documents, examples collected from the pilot
and a benchmarking tool will enable simple recording of
credits.
The Royal College of General Practitioners is
a network of over 37,000 family doctors working to improve care for
patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards
of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on
education, training, research and clinical standards.