Main navigation

QA&CPD Program – your free membership service

Join or renew your membership with the RACGP and receive free access to the college's QA&CPD Program, valued at $399, as a part of your membership package. ^*
RACGP members receive the Quality Assurance and Continuing Professional Development (QA&CPD) Program free as part of their membership while nonmembers are welcome to participate in the QA&CPD Program for an annual fee of $399. ^#

Flexible access and a range of learning styles

To accommodate the diversity of general practice, in the 2008 – 2010 triennium, the QA&CPD Program offers access to a range of activities and provides flexible learning styles such as online, face-to-face, small group learning and self directed education.

Individual education activities

The QA&CPD Program supports your individual learning needs and offers the following modules: active learning modules, supervised clinical attachments, individual learning plans, research projects, higher education courses and small group learning activities. The QA&CPD Program particularly values teaching and awards points to general practitioners involved in teaching and supervision.
If you undertake a Category 1 activity that has not been pre-approved for CPD points, you can apply for points by contacting your state/territory QA&CPD Program coordinator.

Visit www.racgp.org.au/qacpd/contacts

Participation in quality review of activities

Participant feedback is greatly valued by the QA&CPD Program and we welcome GPs to contribute to the quality improvement of the program. The college provides access to the highest quality QA&CPD activities with education providers who receive comprehensive QA&CPD training. Education activity representatives (EARs) are required to undertake a re-accreditation process to maintain EAR status across each triennium.

Patient safety and quality improvement

The 2008 – 2010 QA&CPD Program includes a required patient safety feature that is designed to enhance the depth, flexibility and standards of the program. Adopting a ‘systems based approach' within each activity, the program considers the practice environment in which a GP works and assists them to implement safeguards to deliver reliable and high standards of patient care.

New types of category 1 modules

Now with an increased emphasis on Category 1 activities that promote individual needs assessment, active learning and reinforcing strategies.

New modules include:

• EBM journal clubs – evidence based medicine journal clubs exploring clinical questions and issues in a peer supported environment, to improve medical practice
• Rapid PDSA Cycle – new rapid Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycle to encourage team based reflection and learning for GPs who can identify a possible practice improvement and turn their observation into a Category 1 activity
• Self Record – the ability to self record a maximum of 20 points over the triennium for participation in un-accredited activities.

Completion of basic CPR course

This triennium, GPs are required to complete a basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course that meets the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines. A basic CPR course may be a stand alone Category 2 activity or be part of a broader Category 1 activity. General practitioner surveys and focus groups strongly favoured inclusion of a CPR course in the QA&CPD Program.

Visit www.racgp.org.au/cem to find a Clinical Emergency Management Program^™ (CEMP) workshop.

Grants for rural and remote procedural and emergency medicine GPs

If you are a procedural general practitioner in RRMAs 2 – 7, and you practise surgery, anaesthetics and/or obstetrics, you may be eligible to receive grants of $2000 per day for up to 10 days per financial year for skills maintenance and upskilling activities. ^† Doctors providing emergency care in accident and emergency (A&E) facilities located in RRMAs 3 – 7, may be eligible to receive grants of $2000 per day for up to 3 days of grant assisted training per financial year.^†

Visit www.racgp.org.au/rural/traininggrants or call 1800 636 764.

^† Eligibility criteria apply

Online access to credit point statements

Your credit point statement (CPS) is available to access secure and confidential information of your QA&CPD Program status 24 hours, 7 days a week. The electronic format provides a detailed breakdown of Category 1 and Category 2 activities as well as highlighting special interest areas and domains of general practice areas that you have included as part of your continuing education.

Assistance with planning your QA&CPD

The QA&CPD educational activities calendar available via the RACGP's website, allows you to search approved activities of the QA&CPD Program that meets your educational needs and experience. You can also search by the domains of general practice or International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) codes to find activities. Assistance is available from the program coordinator in your state/territory faculty.

Visit www.racgp.org.au/qacpd/contacts

Publication Date: 10 June 2009
Authorised By: Membership