A Simple Approach to CPD!
| A Simple and Achievable Approach to CPD for All Pharmacists
A professional career requires lifelong learning. At each career stage pharmacists will develop skills, knowledge and attitudes through formal and informal education and integrate these into practice. This is an opportunity to undertake activities that are both enjoyable and useful. However, many pharmacists are asking “what does this mean for me in my pharmacy practice”? So, firstly consider some facts. 1. The PBA is inclusive and realises that pharmacists work in a variety of practice and geographic environments. 2. The PBA is encouraging all pharmacists to think about their area of pharmacy practice and their individual CPD learning needs by: ˙considering competence and then honestly assessing the gaps that exist; ˙creating a plan to fulfil the knowledge / skills gaps; ˙implementing the plan by undertaking the necessary learning; and then evaluating and reviewing the impact of the learning activity on practice. 3. CPD is not just about undertaking courses, as new situations that arise in everyday practice can often represent a great opportunity for CPD. This is often being referred to as ‘unscheduled learning’. Recording the incident and subsequent actions to rectify a problem/correct an error/introduce a new procedure can also be CPD. 4. The PBA has adopted a three level CPD approach and has assigned varying CREDITS to each level. The new PBA system of CREDITS assigns different values for the hours in each of the three CPD activity Groups. The first CPD annual return to the PBA will be due in September 2011 and twenty credits will need to be described, with only ten credits able to come from Group 1. How could this work for you? 1.To undertake a Group 1 CPD activity – information has been accessed without assessment. 2.A Group 2 activity – knowledge or skills improved with assessment. 3.A Group 3 CPD activity – quality or practice improvement facilitated. 4.The extra steps to meet PBA CPD requirements are mostly about keeping a summary record. Finally, it is important to realise that both accredited and non-accredited CPD activities may be undertaken. It is the responsibility of the pharmacist to assess potential activities for suitability and relevance and to determine whether individual learning needs will be addressed by undertaking these activities. For full content, please refer to Source. |
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