Introduction
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Continuing professional development (CPD) Standards provide the basis for setting and maintaining the quality of the CPD Program of the RACGP CPD home.
There are two components:
- RACGP CPD Activity Standards
- RACGP CPD Provider Standards.
RACGP CPD Activity Standards
These standards inform the development of continuing professional development (CPD) activities for the RACGP CPD home under the Professional Performance Framework of the Medical Board of Australia (MBA).
CPD activities are undertaken to meet the MBA CPD registration standards. The MBA defines CPD activity types as:
- educational activities (knowledge and skills)
- reviewing performance
- measuring outcomes.
RACGP CPD activities use the same categorisation.
These standards can be used by individuals and organisations developing CPD activities to meet the RACGP CPD activity requirements. They also form the basis for adjudication of CPD activities by the RACGP CPD home.
CPD providers will also need to meet the RACGP CPD Provider Standards.
RACGP CPD Provider Standards
These standards inform the organisational and CPD activity requirements of CPD providers within the RACGP CPD home under the Professional Performance Framework of the MBA. In addition, the Provider Standards will be the basis for accreditation of CPD providers by the RACGP CPD home. RACGP CPD providers will also need to ensure that all CPD-approved activities meet the RACGP CPD Activity Standards.
As a CPD home, the RACGP is required to demonstrate that RACGP CPD approved activities meet the Australian Medical Council standards. This includes ensuring the standard of CPD activities produced by RACGP CPD providers is quality assured.
In addition, all RACGP CPD approved activities will need to meet:
- MBA CPD requirements
- RACGP CPD requirements.
Central to these requirements, RACGP CPD approved activities need to:
- meet or exceed minimum quality CPD activity standards
- be relevant to Australian general practice.
These standards are outcomes-based to reflect best contemporary educational practice, but also to promote the development of innovative CPD activities.