Appendix 3: Needs assessment template and example
CPD activity needs assessment: Template
Use this template to develop your needs assessment. Once completed, you’ll use your needs assessment to
help develop the learning outcomes for your activity.
Important reminders:
1. Activity Title
2. Briefly outline the relevance of your topic to general practice (what) including identified general practice learning needs (why).
3. Please acknowledge any additional relevant information sources and content. Highlight all applicable boxes and briefly outline appropriate information. All statements must be cited to recent (<10years), reliable and reputable information.
| Specific data collection |
National/State/Territory programs and initiatives |
Health Professional/Govt Perspective |
Patient (Lived Experience) Perspective |
Additional supporting information |
If data was specifically
collected, analysed
and used for this
assessment,
please outline the
collection tools
and methodology
(including the
number of
participants), the
survey/focus
groups questions
and a brief
analysis of the
findings. Anecdotal
observations/
evidence are not
appropriate. |
If this activity is
linked to State/
Territory programs
and initiatives and/
or National Health
Priority Areas,
please include
details. |
Have you
considered
information from
medical specialists
and/or special
interest health
groups, State/
Territory or national
government
bodies? Include
and reference any
relevant statistics
or information. |
Have you
considered any
information
obtained from
patient interviews,
surveys, or data
from community
groups? |
Briefly outline any
further information
you wish to provide
as evidence to
demonstrate
the activity’s
alignment to the
RACGP curriculum
and syllabus for
Australian general
practice and the
MBA Registration
Standard:
Continuing
professional
development.
|
References
List all RACGP publications and other current evidence-based references cited in the creation of this needs assessment.
Author
Indicate the name and position of the person(s) who created this needs assessment.
GP review
Indicate the name of the GP who reviewed and approved the final needs assessment.
CPD Activity Needs Assessment: Example
CPD activity needs assessment
Use this template to develop your needs assessment. Once completed, you’ll use your needs assessment to help develop the learning outcomes for your activity.
Important reminders:
1. Activity Title: Atrial fibrillation (AF) – Managing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older patients
2. Briefly outline the relevance of your topic to general practice (what) including identified general practice learning needs (why).
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including acute and chronic heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease, is a complex and multifactorial issue that affects 16.6% of the Australian population.1 It is the leading cause of death in Australia and accounts for 26% of all deaths.1 Atrial fibrillation is another common cardiac condition that significant increases the risk of developing heart failure or stroke, making diagnosis and timely management vital.1 These patients are often managed entirely by GPs, with an emphasis on managing symptoms, preventing disease progression and avoiding hospitalisations.1
It is the GP’s role to identify those at risk and provide appropriate treatment in the context of their community.1 Australia’s population is ageing.2 In 2017, 15% of Australia’s population (3.8 million) was aged ≥65 years.2 By 2057, the proportion of this group is expected to rise to 22% (8.8 million).2 More than one in three general practice encounters are with people aged ≥65 years, with people aged ≥85 years increasingly presenting to general practice compared to other age groups.2
The healthcare needs of older people can be complex, with one in two people aged ≥65 years experiencing multiple chronic conditions.2 The leading causes of the burden of disease in older Australians are cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurological conditions, musculoskeletal conditions and respiratory conditions.2
Atrial fibrillation (also called AF or Afib) is a type of arrhythmia.3 In atrial fibrillation, abnormal electrical activity in the top chambers of the heart overwhelms the heart’s own pacemaker (part of its electrical system) and the conduction messages become chaotic.3 Atrial fibrillation is the most common recurrent arrhythmia in Australia, with estimates suggesting that approximately 2–4% of the Australian population has AF and prevalence increasing with age.4 It is expected that AF cases in people aged >55 years will increase over the next 20 years due to the ageing population and improved survival from contributory diseases.4
Patient-centred care – with a focus on patient education, self-management, shared decision making and caregiver involvement – is recognised as one of the fundamental aspects of integrated care in the guidelines for atrial fibrillation.5 To meet the complex needs of older Australians, GPs need to take a patient-centred, whole-person care approach that considers multimorbidity.2 GPs also need to collaborate with the patient’s broader multidisciplinary healthcare team to meet the patient’s individual needs.2
3. Please acknowledge any additional relevant information sources and content. Highlight all applicable boxes and briefly outline appropriate information. All statements must be cited to recent (<10years), reliable and reputable information.
| Specific data collection |
National/State/Territory programs and initiatives |
Health Professional/Govt Perspective |
Patient (Lived Experience) Perspective |
Additional supporting information |
If data was
specifically
collected, analysed
and used for this
assessment,
please outline the
collection tools
and methodology
(including the
number of
participants), the
survey/focus
groups questions
and a brief
analysis of the
findings. Anecdotal
observations/
evidence are not
appropriate. |
If this activity is
linked to State/
Territory programs
and initiatives and/
or National Health
Priority Areas,
please include
details. |
Have you
considered
information from
medical specialists
and/or special
interest health
groups, State/
Territory or national
government
bodies? Include
and reference any
relevant statistics
or information |
Have you
considered any
information
obtained from
patient interviews,
surveys, or data
from community
groups? |
Briefly outline any
further information
you wish to provide
as evidence to
demonstrate
the activity’s
alignment to the
RACGP curriculum
and syllabus for
Australian general
practice and the
MBA Registration
Standard:
Continuing
professional
development.
|
References
List all RACGP publications and other current evidence-based references cited in the creation of this needs assessment
1. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. 2022 RACGP curriculum and syllabus for Australian general practice: Cardiovascular health. 6th edn. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP, 2022. Available at
www.racgp.org.au/education/education-providers/curriculum/curriculum-and-syllabus/units/cardiovascular-health [Accessed 7 September 2025].
2. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. 2022 RACGP curriculum and syllabus for Australian general practice: Older persons’ health. 6th edn. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP, 2022. Available at
www.racgp.org.au/education/education-providers/curriculum/curriculum-and-syllabus/units/older-person-s-health [Accessed 7 September 2025].
3. National Heart Foundation of Australia: What is atrial fibrillation? Available at
www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/atrial-fibrillation [Accessed 7 September 2025].
4. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice. 10th edn. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP, updated 2025. Available at
www.racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines/key-racgp-guidelines/view-all-racgp-guidelines/preventive-activities-in-general-practice/about-the-red-book [Accessed 7 September 2025].
5. National Heart Foundation of Australia. Atrial fibrillation information for patients. Available at
www.heartfoundation.org.au/for-professionals/fp-atrial-fibrillation-patient-resources [Accessed 7 September 2025].
Author
Indicate the name and position of the person(s) who created this needs assessment.
Catherine Johnston (CPD representative), Education Coordinator
GP review
Indicate the name and position of the person(s) who created this needs assessment.
Dr Kim Ang Lee