APLF issues CPD clarification
July 23, 2010
PEAK pharmacy group, The
Australian Pharmacy Liaison Forum,
has issued a statement which aims
to address concerns being raised by
pharmacists across the country in
the light of the Pharmacy Board of
Australia’s new compulsory CPD
registration requirements.
The APLF comprises the AACP,
PSA, Guild, SHPA, Australian
Pharmacy Council, PDL, pharmacy
schools and the Australian College
of Pharmacy, and has reassured
pharmacists that “these CPD
requirements are achievable,
regardless of where they live or
whether they can easily attend face
to face sessions”.
The forum says the Board is
inclusive and recognises that
pharmacists work in a variety of
practice and geographic
environments.
Pharmacists are encouraged to
think about their area of pharmacy
practice and their individual CPD
learning needs by considering
competence and assessing any
gaps that exist; creating a plan to
fulfil the gaps; implementing the
plan by undertaking the necessary
learning; and then evaluating and
reviewing the impact of the
learning activity on practice.
The Pharmacy Board of Australia
has adopted a three level CPD
approach, with varying credits
assigned to each level.
Group 1 CPD activities involve
time spent accessing information
without assessment - such as
reading a journal or evaluating a
new medicine.
Group 2 points apply when
knowledge or skills are improved
with assessment, such as when a
National Prescribing Service article
is accompanied by self-assessment
questions which are undertaken.
And Group 3 CPD activities occur
when a pharmacist facilitates
quality or practice improvement,
such as presenting information on
a topic to colleagues.
The first CPD annual return to
the Pharmacy Board of Australia
will be due in September 2011,
with 20 credits required, only ten of
which can come from Group 1.
The APLF says CPD is not just
about undertaking courses, as new
situations that arise in everyday
practice can often represent a great
opportunity for CPD.
The extra steps to meet CPD
requirements are mostly about
keeping a summary record,
describing ‘learning needs’ that
underpin the activity and then
reflect on the ‘value’ achieved in
improved knowledge and skills.
“In addition, pharmacists should
keep a CPD portfolio which could
include any certificates, flyers,
conference materials, handwritten
notes or Group 2 assessment
question summaries for eventual
audit purposes,” the APLF said.
Both accredited and nonaccredited
CPD activities may be
undertaken, with assessment of
potential activities for suitability and
relevance the responsibility of the
pharmacist, to ensure they address
individual learning needs.
The APLF guidance document
also includes a range of typical
examples of Group 1, Group 2 and
Group 3 activities; for more
information the official media
release can be downloaded from
our website by clicking HERE.
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