Frequently Asked Questions

  

When did MyCPD commence?

MyCPD was introduced in 2008.

  

Does MyCPD run on a five year cycle?

No, MyCPD is based on a calendar year from 1 January to 31 December.

  

What is the Annual Requirement of MyCPD?

The annual requirement to be considered actively participating in MyCPD is 100 credits.  Fellows who do not meet all the requirements will be recorded as non-compliant.  However, it is possible to remain active in the program without meeting the annual requirement if participants are ill, on maternity leave, or have other compelling reasons (at the discretion of the College).

  

When is the closing date to submit my annual return?

The due date for submission of annual returns is 31 March the following year.  From November each year, the SUBMIT CREDITS button will appear at the bottom of the View Activities page which will enable participants to submit returns before the closing date.   Please note that activities cannot be edited or added once submitted to the College.  Participants will need to contact the College before the due date of 31 March to make changes to records.  Reminders to submit annual credits will be sent prior to the closing date.  On 1 April, the SUBMIT CREDITS feature will be disabled and credits will automatically be submitted to the College.

  

My credits were automatically submitted to the College, but I haven't entered all my activities for the year?

After 31 March of each year, annual returns for the previous year are automatically submitted to the College (if not already submitted) and participants will not be able to edit or change online records.  We therefore encourage updating online records on a regular basis.

  

Why are there limits to some of the categories in MyCPD framework?

The reason for limiting ‘Educational Development, Teaching & Research', ‘Group Learning Activities' and ‘Other Learning Activities' is to encourage Fellows to undertake a wide range of activities such as self assessment programs, structured learning projects and practice review & appraisal activities which may provide them with insights into their learning needs.  MyCPD also aims to accommodate different practice settings (hospital and private) where some activities may be more available, e.g. research or teaching in a hospital setting.

  

Why are there two types of credits on the View Activities page - ‘Provisional Credits' and ‘Recognised Credits'?

Provisional Credits are the total number of credits for all activities for the year, whether completed or not.  Provisional Credits become Recognised Credits once all the MyCPD requirements are met.  For one-off activities this is when Learning Outcomes are entered on the system.  However, for recurring activities, Provisional Credits become Recognised Credits automatically on the date of each activity.  The Recognised Credits for categories 1, 2 and 6 have been capped at 50 credits/year.  However, bonus credits may still be accrued for these categories through reflective comments - see the MyCPD Framework for further information.

  

How do bonus credits work?

When a completed activity is entered - for instance a two hour workshop already attended - two credits under ‘Group Learning Activities' would be claimed for this activity.  In addition to this, participants gain one bonus credit for completing Reflective Comments. 

  

Why can't I enter 'Learning Outcomes' for some activities?

Learning Outcomes for activities can only be entered retrospectively.

  

Do I need to complete the Professional Development Plan (PDP)?

It is not compulsory to complete the PDP.  PDP is a tool to assist participants to identify, plan and document learning needs.  It is useful in providing a framework and focus for learning and in amplifying awareness of the learning process.  A PDP which is due will initiate a system alert for participants.

  

Where do I classify my quality assurance activities?

In MyCPD, quality assurance activities are classified in Category 5: Practice Review &
Appraisal at 3 credits/hour. 

  

What is the difference between teaching and giving a presentation?

Teaching is usually considered to be a part of an ongoing planned sequence of teacher/student interactions.  Examples include supervision or mentoring of trainees, supervision of overseas trained physicians under peer review, teaching of undergraduate or postgraduate students in medicine, nursing or allied health disciplines, and tutoring.  Presentations include presentation of a paper or poster on issues of medical or educational significance at conferences, seminars, workshops, grand rounds, QA meetings and scientific or educational meetings.

  

Can I claim preparation time for teaching, presenting and published articles?

Preparation time for teaching, presentation and publication can be claimed in Category 6: Other Learning Activities at 1 credit/hour.  This category has a maximum limit of 50 credits per year, however credits may still be accrued through reflective comments.

  

Can I claim the time I spend on College Committees for MyCPD Credits?

As a general principle credits for committee work of a purely business/administrative nature cannot be claimed.  It is important to note that MyCPD credits ‘for attendance' at Committee meetings can only be accrued for ‘actual time' allocated during these meetings to activities which have a significant educational or quality assurance component (e.g. meetings of the self assessment program committees, written question setting committees of the Committee for Examinations and participation in QA committees such as Root Cause Analysis).  MyCPD credits can also be claimed for activities undertaken as a Committee member on behalf of the Committee which contribute towards enhancing clinical and healthcare standards.  Where Fellows are involved in such committee work because of their discipline or clinical expertise, credits should be claimed in Category 1: Educational Development, Teaching & Research (Involvement in standards development), at 1 credit/hour. Preparation for committee meetings may be claimed in Category 6: Other Learning Activities (Other-preparation for committee meeting) at 1credit/hour.  MyCPD credits are not gained for simply being listed as a Committee member, or for attending Committee meetings.

  

Can I include meal breaks when calculating hours for workshops, meetings or conferences?

When calculating the number of hours for attendance at meetings, etc. the total number of hours should not include meal breaks.

  

Will you check what has been undertaken as part of MyCPD?

Yes, five per cent of participants will be selected for a random review each year.  Those who have been selected will be required to show evidence to substantiate credits claimed (up to the minimum requirement of the program - 100 credits).  Participants who have been selected for a random review will be given two years immunity from being selected again.

  

Do I need to keep documentation for credits claimed?

Participants are required to keep adequate documentation to support credits claimed until the end of the following year.  Documentation is only required to be submitted when a participant is selected for random review.  The Dean of the College, auditors and staff  will have access to reflective comments to substantiate credits claimed in this area.

  

Will anyone else be able to read my reflective comments?

CPD records are confidential and are stored in a secure location at the RACP offices in Sydney. For participants who are selected for a random review, please note the Dean of the College, auditors and staff  will have access to reflective comments to substantiate credits claimed in this area.

  

Do I need to contact the College to obtain a copy of my statement?

An official Statement of Participation is made available online through the MyCPD program upon a satisfactory submission of an annual return with at least 100 credits per year.  Meanwhile, an interim Statement of Participation may be accessed online via MyCPD enabling participants to provide proof of participation in the program at any given time.  The online statements may be used by participants as evidence of active participation in RACP MyCPD if required for annual registration, appointment, contract renewal, promotion or other professional requirements.  In the event that participants do not meet the annual requirement, a Statement of Participation will not be issued.  Participants can still access their Interim Statement however, there is a note stating that participants are required to accrue a minimum of 100 credits each year to be considered as completing the program.  The statement will remain interim for those selected for random review until successful finalisation of review.

Following the deadline of RACP MyCPD, 31 March each year, a Certificate of Completion will be made available for those who have met the program requirements.  For participants selected for random review, the certificate will be withheld until successful finalisation of review.

  

How do I print a Statement / Interim Statement from MyCPD?

To print your Statement of Participation from within the MyCPD Program please follow the steps outlined below:

1) Logon to MyCPD

2) Click ‘View Activities' accessible from the menu on the left hand side of the screen

3) This will take you to your Summary for the current CPD year (to access the summary for a previous year, simply select the yellow back arrow)

4) You can now click a link called ‘Print Statement' to access your statement for that cycle year

5) You can choose to print this statement or save it to your hard drive.

The online Statement of Participation may be used as evidence of active participation in MyCPD if required for annual registration, appointment, contract renewal, promotion, or other professional requirements.

  

I am retired.  Do I need to participate in MyCPD?

Fellows who advise the College they hold non-practicing registration, and are fully retired from active practice*, are exempted from the RACP CPD requirements.

* The term ‘practice' means any role, whether remunerated or not, in which the individual uses their skills and knowledge as a health practitioner in their profession.  For the purposes of the RACP CPD Participation Policy, practice is not restricted to the provision of direct clinical care.  It also includes using professional knowledge in a direct nonclinical relationship with clients, working in management, administration, education, research, advisory, regulatory or policy development roles, and any other roles that impact on safe, effective delivery of services in the profession.

  

I only work part-time. Are my requirements still the same?

Part time physicians have the same RACP CPD requirements as full time physicians.  The underlying principle is that the standard of practice is not different from full time to part time.  Therefore maintaining currency in knowledge, skills and practice mean RACP CPD requirements are the same. 

  

I am living overseas.  What are the reporting requirements for MyCPD?

Australian and New Zealand Fellows living overseas for an extended period may elect to participate in the CPD program offered by the appropriate college within that country either in addition, or as an alternative, to participating in the RACP CPD program.  Fellows must apply to the CPD Unit in order to be exempted from the RACP MyCPD program, and evidence of compliance must be provided by 31 March each year, for the preceding calendar year in order to meet RACP CPD requirements.  Please note national and international regulatory bodies may have different CPD requirements to the RACP.  We strongly recommend you clarify your individual requirements with the relevant Medical Board for purposes of registration.

  

I hold dual Fellowship with another medical college do I need to be in both programs?

Fellows who are participating in a CPD program of an equivalent medical college, more aligned to their specific practice needs, may elect not to participate in the RACP CPD program.  Fellows must apply to the CPD Unit in order to be exempted from the RACP MyCPD program, and evidence of compliance must be provided by 31 March each year, for the preceding calendar year in order to meet RACP CPD requirements.  Please note national and international regulatory bodies may have different CPD requirements to the RACP.  We strongly recommend you clarify your individual requirements with the relevant Medical Board for purposes of registration. 

  

Where can I get a copy of the RACP CPD Participation Policy?

A copy of the policy can be downloaded from the Education Policies page of the College website.

  

Where can I get more information on MyCPD?

Click here to download the program guide.  Alternatively, contact the CPD Unit at:
 

CPD Unit - Australia Royal Australasian College of Physicians 145 Macquarie Street Sydney 2000 NSW AUSTRALIA Tel: +61 2 8247 6201 Fax: +61 2 9252 3310 Email: MyCPD@racp.edu.au

CPD Unit - New Zealand Royal Australasian College of Physicians 4th Floor, 99 The Terrace Wellington 6011 NEW ZEALAND Tel: +64 4 460 8122 Fax: +64 4 472 6718 Email: MyCPD@racp.org.nz