Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an important part of professional practice which is reviewed annually at Appraisal and is necessary for Revalidation. For Physicians this is a Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians’ function with an approval system for external CPD and online diary.
The Federation has representation of the Edinburgh, Glasgow and London Colleges and has representatives of most medical specialities. The CPD Approvers met in Glasgow on 1 October 2019. A lively meeting was led by Federation lead Dr Adrian Jennings. He went through the current system on approval discussing potential difficulties on the way. The five criteria of approval have stood the test of time and the system is robust. They mainly revolve around educational objectives, educational content and methods, and the speakers background and knowledge. Sponsorship can be an issue and great care is taken to make sure programmes are not unduly influenced by sponsors.
I am gratified that such care is taken to make sure the Colleges only approve educational sound meetings. While the system is administered in London, much of the appraisers work is in the regions of England and the three other countries of the UK including a significant Scottish input.
Dr Richard Hull is our College’s Honorary Secretary and is in the back row, third from the left in the photo.