Frequently asked questions
Below are some frequently asked questions and answers. If you any other questions please contact the CPD Unit at cpd@anzca.edu.au or on +61 3 9510 6299.
CPD plan
I have developed my CPD plan, can I claim credits for this?
You can claim the time spent writing your plan under category 2, level 2 for two credits per hour.
Why do I have to do a CPD plan?
At the beginning of your triennium, you are required to write a CPD plan. Your individualised CPD plan will be the main the focus and reference point for you your continuing professional development and you may modify your plan during your triennium if required.
Can I change my CPD plan after I’ve written it?
You may edit your CPD plan at any time through your triennium by clicking on “Review my CPD plan” in your online portfolio.
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Activities
How many credits can I claim for problem-based learning and development (PBLD) sessions?
PBLD’s can be claimed under category 3, level 1 for two credits per hour
I am planning to do a hospital attachment. Is there a minimum duration? Under what category can I claim it?
Hospital attachments should be for at least one day in duration, and can be claimed under category 2, level 2 for two credits per hour.
I undertake hospital inspections. Can this be claimed under the CPD Program?
Hospital inspections can be claimed under category 3, level 1 for two credits per hour.
I am attending a conference with workshops on practical skills and procedures. What category can I claim this under?
Practical skill workshops can be claimed under category 3, level 2 for three credits per hour.
I attend a monthly mortality and morbidity meeting. What category can I claim this under?
Morbidity and mortality meetings can be claimed under category 3, level 1 for two credits per hour.
What is involved in a clinical audit in order to claim CPD points?
A clinical audit of your own practice is a process designed to systematically assess and evaluate the care of patients. You need to establish the aims of the audit, collect the necessary data, evaluate the data to draw conclusions and then incorporate the findings in to your practice. You can claim time spent doing this audit under category 3, level 2 for three credits per hour.
What is a seminar?
A seminar is an educational session consisting of a small group of people with a facilitator who exchange ideas around a specialised area. Seminars can be claimed under category 1, level 2 for two credits per hour.
I am doing a research project. What category can I claim this under?
Activities related to research can be claimed under category 4, level 2 for 2 credits per hour.
I’m organising a conference/meeting/event. Does ANZCA need to approve allocated credits for participants/organisers?
ANZCA no longer has a formal approval process to prospectively allocate approval numbers to events. The CPD team are still able to provide advice on the appropriate credits to claim for both organisers and participants of any activity.
I am going on an overseas aid trip. What category can I claim this under?
Aid trips can be claimed under category 2, level 2 for two credits per hour.
What documentation do I need to keep as evidence of my activities?
Supporting documentation is only required for attendance at:
- Conferences.
- Workshops.
- All category 3 activities.
- Publications
Evidence is not required for department/practice meetings, journal clubs and journal reading.
Supporting evidence can be a certificate of attendance, program listing you as a presenter, attendance sheets, confirmation of attendance via letter or email from the event organiser etc.
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Reflection
What is a reflection?
Reflection is an important process for personal and professional learning. Fellows are encouraged to practice reflection to analyse learning experiences, encourage critical thinking and recognition of slips, lapses and incidents and to reinforce actions that have resulted in good outcomes. Time spent writing your reflection can be claimed under category 3, level 2 for three credits per hour.
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Evaluation
Why do I need to do an evaluation?
You are required to evaluate your program at the end of your triennium. Evaluation helps you to assess your achievements and whether you met the objectives in your CPD plan. It can provide information on the strengths and weaknesses of your participation and areas to address to improve future learning. Time spent writing your evaluation can be claimed under category 3, level 2 for three credits per hour.
When can I complete my evaluation? It is not available on my menu.
Your Evaluation will only become available for you to complete in the final year of your triennium.
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Statements and certificates
I am participating online, how to I get my annual statement of CPD participation?
Your annual statement of CPD participation will become available via your online portfolio when you have submitted your CPD plan and entered at least 10 credits for that year. You can access it by clicking “Generate your Annual Statement of CPD Participation” in the menu in your portfolio.
If you have any trouble generating your statement, please contact the CPD Unit.
I am participating offline, how to I get my annual statement of CPD participation?
You will need to submit a copy of your CPD Plan and the relevant years Annual Summary Form with a minimum of 10 credits entered to the CPD Unit. Once these details have been recorded you will be emailed or posted your statement - as requested on your Annual Summary Form.
If you have any questions about the documentation required to your statement, please contact the CPD Unit.
I am participating online, how to I get my Certificate of Completion of CPD triennium?
Your certificate of completion of CPD triennium will become available via your online portfolio when you have submitted your CPD plan, met your triennial credit requirements and have submitted your evaluation. You can access it by clicking “Generate your Certificate of Completion of CPD Triennium” in the menu in your portfolio.
If you have any trouble generating your certificate, please contact the CPD Unit.
I am participating offline, how to I get my Certificate of Completion of CPD triennium?
You will need to submit a copy of your CPD plan, Annual Summary Forms for each year of your triennium and a copy of your Evaluation to the CPD team. Once these details have been recorded you will be emailed or posted your certificate - as requested on your Annual Summary Forms.
If you have any questions about the documentation required to your certificate, please contact the CPD Unit.
Previous CPD trienniums
Can I edit any elements from my previous CPD triennium?
Once you complete your current triennium and enrol into a new triennium you will no longer be able to edit any of the content of your previous triennium.
Can I view my previous CPD plan?
By using the menu option “Previous CPD trienniums” you will be able to view the plan, activities and evaluation of your previous CPD triennium, but will not be able to edit this information.
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General information
I am having trouble logging in to my online portfolio – what should I do?
There may be many reasons for this. Please contact the CPD Unit for assistance.
I am retiring soon but wish to continue in the CPD program. What are my options?
Fellows who are retiring from clinical practice, but wish to remain on the specialist register may participate in a one year program with fewer requirements that a full triennium. The one year program will require the completion of a CPD plan, a minimum of 10 credits for each of categories 1 and 2 and an evaluation at the end of the year. Fellows can continue to participate in a year by year program until they no longer wish to maintain their medical board registration.
I am retiring soon and do not wish to continue in the CPD Program, what should I do?
Please contact the CPD Unit, who will then remove your access to the online portfolio system, and update your details within the College.
I have had to take extended leave from work due to health/personal issues, how does this affect my CPD Program?
Special consideration can be granted retrospectively for circumstances considered compelling and/or compassionate (beyond the control of the participant which impacts on progress or wellbeing), that have impacted on a Fellow's ability to meet the minimum CPD requirements within their CPD triennium.
Typical examples are:
- Acute illness - for example hospital admission, serious injury, mental health issues.
- Loss or bereavement - for example death of a close family member, family relationship breakdown.
- Hardship/trauma – for example victim of crime or natural catastrophes, sudden loss of income or employment, unexpected severe disruption to normal arrangements.
- Maternity/paternity leave.
Special consideration will be granted in the form of credits awarded to the Fellow's triennium. The amount of credits will be determined at the end of the triennium, in relation to what is outstanding and needs to be achieved. Please contact the CPD Unit to let them know that you may require special consideration at the end of your triennium.
I have been selected as part of the ANZCA CPD audit. What does this mean?
After the completion of each triennium ANZCA will audit up to 5 per cent of those Fellows who have completed their triennium to verify that they have:
- Completed all the requirements of the program in that period.
- Supporting evidence for attendance at conferences, workshops, category 3 activities, and publications. Evidence is not required for departmental/practice meetings, journal clubs, and journal reading.
All Fellows who have been selected for audit have been randomly chosen. Documentation is only required to support the minimum credit requirement, not for all activities recorded. Participants selected for audit remain eligible for random selection for audit in the subsequent triennium. If you have any queries about preparing your evidence, please contact the CPD team.
What will happen if I do not meet my CPD requirements?
Please refer to ANZCA’s CPD Mandatory Compliance Policy.
5.0 Non-compliance
Should a Fellow fail to demonstrate compliance with the ANZCA CPD standard, the following actions will be taken:
5.1 Notification will be sent to the Fellow informing him/her of his/her failure to confirm compliance. This correspondence will include the expectations of the College and of the Medical Board of Australia or Medical Council of New Zealand with regard to CPD.
5.2 If the Fellow does not respond to the initial correspondence, a second, final, notification will be forwarded to the Fellow. More than one mode of communication will be employed (letter, email and/or telephone).
5.3 Fellows will be offered assistance to comply with College requirements, including retrospective credit allocation, provided that evidence of the CPD activity can be supplied.
5.4 A Fellow who responds to notifications, yet is unable to comply with retrospective credit allocation, will receive an annual CPD certificate of participation once the standard requirements have been fulfilled. The Fellow will be automatically audited at the completion of the new triennium.
A Fellow who fails to respond to notifications will receive an annual CPD certificate of participation once the standard requirements have been fulfilled. The Fellow will be automatically audited at the completion of the new triennium.
If you have a query that is not addressed here please contact the CPD Unit at cpd@anzca.edu.au or on +61 9510 6299.
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Continuing professional development
