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The CPD Framework identifies three main areas of practice, called ‘Strands’. These three Strands are then subdivided into ten ‘Components’ of professionalism. These Strands and Components are detailed below.
This Strand acknowledges the need for an up to date requisite body of knowledge and skills. It encompasses three components:
1.1 Medical Expertise
Definition: The possession and maintenance of the knowledge and procedural skills necessary to conduct the clinical aspects of professional practice.
1.2 Clinical Judgment
Definition: The ability to apply knowledge and procedural skills to make an informed, accurate diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment from the range of options available.
1.3 Information Management
This includes having an awareness of and ability to use the range of technologies available both as a user and a provider of information to other professionals and stakeholders.
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This Strand acknowledges the need to be cognisant of those aspects of practice outside of medical expertise that may impact on patient outcomes. It encompasses three components:
2.1 Communication
Definition: The ability to ensure honest and open communication with patients and their families, demonstrating empathy and the ability to appreciate and accommodate cultural and other factors that contribute to the individuality of specific patients and their needs.
2.2 Practice Management
Definition: An awareness of the factors that contribute to effective practice management and a commitment to best practice in this area. This includes an awareness of the range of technologies available to assist in the attainment of best practice in a practitioner’s environment.
2.3 Personal Management and Insight
Definition: The capacity to reflect on all aspects of professional practice, including an awareness of their own suitability for practice and a monitoring of self, in order to optimise patient outcomes.
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This Strand acknowledges the need for an awareness of medical practitioners regarding beliefs and behaviors that reflect the expectations of others with whom they interact during their practice. There is a need to be aware of and sensitive to cultural and linguistic diversity, and responsive to the cultural needs of patients and their families. Additionally, the implications of working with other practitioners and healthcare professionals are acknowledged. It encompasses four components:
3.1 Relationships and Accountability
Definition: An acknowledgement of the expectation on medical professionals to work within the ethical and legal framework of the profession, and to understand and exhibit appropriate interpersonal, including inter-professional, behaviour.
An appreciation of the possible pressures that can arise from competing interests in the modern practice of medicine, an awareness of the responsibility for assisting with the creation and implementation of continuous improvement initiatives, and an acknowledgement of the responsibility for ensuring the existence and effective functioning of mechanisms for identifying and dealing with incompetent/unprofessional practitioners.
3.2 Advocacy and Equity
Definition: The desire to work actively at promoting equity and justice in the healthcare system, including a commitment to improving access for disadvantaged groups and the circumstances of fellow health professionals; a recognition of the fine balancing act that can be involved.
3.3 Education
Definition: A commitment to on-going learning for all in the profession. Acting as role models and taking a formal involvement in the training of medical students, early postgraduates, new specialists and other health professionals in ways that demonstrate an understanding of appropriate teaching and learning theories and practices.
3.4 Research
Definition: An involvement in credible scientific research and an acknowledgement of the responsibility to ensure new knowledge is appropriately used.
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