What is CPD?

Chiang first outlines the learning objectives of this activity before providing details on what is CPD and some important terminologies.

Continuing Professional Development Key Points

Continuing professional development for clinical professions is built on a rapidly changing foundation of scientific knowledge and social context. Thus there is a need to constantly develop new skill sets and re-exam attitude and clinical behaviors. Mechanisms have to be put in place to ensure that individual practitioners remain current and competent.

While practitioners themselves need to engage in lifelong learning. This can be challenging, and CPD is an approach to overcome this challenge. CPD suggests that learning takes place every day in myriad ways within a professional context. By recognizing and embracing the many learning opportunities presented by our daily work.

Terminologies

• Continuing education (CE), program of study targeting a particular group or vocation. Aim to keep participants up to date with knowledge within a particular field. Usually episodic and part-time, and focus on specific trends. Presumes participants to have the pre-existing knowledge base and skillsets, focusing more on the application than on theory.
• Continuing Professional Development, focus on updating professional knowledge and competence throughout one’s working life. Integral to day-to-day professional work.
• Lifelong learning, all learning activities, both personal and professional.
• Self-directed learning, an approach to education where one has full control over the learning objectives, the means of learning, and assessment.
• Mandatory CE requirements, state board regulations require pharmacists to complete a minimum number of CE hours annually.

However, there are some practical issues in mandatory CE:

• Training may not translate into meaningful practice change.
• No evidence of maintaining competency.
• No correlation between competency or improved professionalism and attending CE events.

Thus, it is important to self-reflect:

• What motivates you to continue learning?
• What engages you within the practice to continue improving?

If you would like to learn more about continuing professional development and its importance, check out this course “Good Pharmacy Practice: Pharmaceutical services” from Taipei Medical University.