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The aim of the RANZCR Continuing Professional Development Program is to assist participants to develop, maintain and improve their competence and performance not only in their chosen specialty of radiology, but also in more generic areas associated with the practice of medicine.
The 2007-2009 triennium program recognises a broad range of activities attracting CPD points, grouped into seven categories: recertification and quality improvement, professional and clinical governance, education, self-directed learning, radiology research, publications and presentations, and conferences and meetings.
One CPD point is approximately equivalent to one hour of passive education (e.g. attending a lecture). In general, active educational activities are allocated 2 CPD points per hour; case based activities are allocated points on a 'per case' basis, while complex activities (such as audit) are allocated points on a 'per activity' basis.
Whilst there is no requirement to acquire points in all seven categories, participants are strongly encouraged to gain their CPD points across a number of categories (three or more is desirable). In order to achieve this, the program is structured with maximum points per category identified. In addition, some activities have caps whereas others do not. This is to actively encourage activity in certain areas such as radiology research, participation in the RANZCR/NATA Practice Accreditation Program and self-directed learning, for example.
Participants are encouraged to reflect on their own knowledge and skill base and to structure a program that best meets their own individual needs for educational and professional development.
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The RANZCR is in the process of developing a competency-based training program in radiology. As part of its Education Strategy, the RANZCR have recognized the continuum of learning from undergraduate to postgraduate specialist training through to Fellowship with continuing professional development and the maintenance of competencies acquired through training and practice.
Using the CanMEDS framework it is possible to link not only undergraduate and postgraduate training to the broad capabilities of the radiologist, but also to link post-Fellowship continuing professional development to the capabilities of the specialist.
Accordingly, the CPD program for the 2007-2009 triennium has been broadly mapped to the CanMEDS capabilities of medical expert, communicator, collaborator, health advocate, manager, professional and scholar to give an indication of the major emphasis on the capabilities being developed in the CPD activity group.
The CanMEDS framework acknowledges substantial overlap between these roles, and in the case of the CPD program, all activities would include an emphasis on the medical expert role.
The CanMEDS categorisation is presented to assist Fellows in identifying activities targeted to further development of specific CanMEDS capabilities beyond that of the medical expert and should be used as a guide only.
- The CPD program operates on a calendar year – i.e. from 1 January to 31 December of each year.
- Participants should accumulate a minimum of 180 points in the 2007-2009 triennium.
- Participants should accumulate a minimum of 30 points per CPD year, while no more than 90 points will be credited to any one year.
- Participants should also aim to acquire their points across a range of categories.
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No CPD points will be carried into the next triennium. New participants commencing CPD point accumulation during the triennium will accumulate points pro-rata, counting whole years only. Likewise, consideration will be given on an individual basis for participants who have not accrued points for a period of time due to special circumstance (e.g. maternity leave, extended illness etc).
There is no distinction made between the CPD points requirement for full-time or part-time participants. The underlying principle is that the standard of practice required is the same, regardless of whether a participant works full-time or part-time. Therefore the requirements to maintain currency in knowledge, skills and practice are also the same, and so the requirements of the CPD program are the same.
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Participants in the CPD program will be asked to submit a summary of their CPD activities annually on a purpose-designed proforma. No documentation or verification is required to be sent when you submit your return. Participants must retain their documentation for the term of the triennium.
A random audit of 5% of active members will be conducted each year. You will be required to submit documentation for verification, as indicated, only if you are selected for audit.
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For the 2007-2009 triennium, participants involved in mammography are required to accumulate a total of 15 CPD points in mammography; or closely related topics which include mammography as an indispensable part of the topic (e.g. applications of breast MR with MR-mammographic correlation). The mammography specific points are a part of the total 180 points required, and not additional. BreastScreen based reader audit has a special status, and if satisfactorily completed, contributes 30 points towards audit.
MRI supervising radiologists are required to accumulate a total of 60 CPD points in MRI each triennium. Each Radiologist interpreting MR images must accumulate 30 MRI specific CPD points each triennium. The MRI specific points are a part of the total 180 points required, and not additional.
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It is important for New Zealand members to be aware of the requirements of the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) relating to CPD. In order to receive an Annual Practicing Certificate the MCNZ requires all medical specialists to meet the requirements of an approved CPD Program which includes recertification. You are required to meet the following MCNZ requirements:
- A minimum of one Audit each year
- A minimum of 10 hours of Peer Review activity each year
- A minimum of 20 hours of Educational Activities each year
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the details of the MCNZ requirements as stated in their Continuing Professional Development & Recertification booklet which is available on their website at http://www.mcnz.org.nz. New Zealand participants who choose not to document their clinical audit activities via the College CPD program should make their own substantiation/documentation arrangements directly with MCNZ.
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The College will provide a statement to participants who require one for the purposes of Medical Council/Medical Board registration or credentialing. To request a statement, simply email the College and use ‘CPD Statement for Medical Registration’ in the subject line. The College will verify your participation in the program and email, fax or post the statement to you. Whilst these requests are often able to be actioned within 24 hours, please allow 3-5 days for provision of this statement, particularly if hardcopy is required.
For New Zealand participants, the statement will be emailed directly to the MCNZ.
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This manual, the CPD Annual Return Form and other documents such as templates and logbook sheets are available on the RANZCR website at www.ranzcr.edu.au/CPD. Participants will be able to complete their CPD returns on-line. This will assist participants in keeping track of their CPD points progressively as they acquire them. For further information on progress please follow developments in the Newsletter and on the website.
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You should complete your CPD Annual Return Form each year of the triennium and return it to the College by 28 February in the following year (e.g. by 28 February 2008 for the 2007 CPD year). Those selected for random audit will be contacted by 30 June in the calendar year to provide verification of their CPD claim.
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Should you have any enquiries about the CPD Program, please contact the College or call the College office on +61 2 9268 9777.
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