Legislative Requirements
Australia *
At present Commonwealth legislation does not require medical practitioners to participate in a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program, although the impending National Registration process may include this requirement. Some State Medical Boards require evidence of participation in CPD relevant to the practitioner's field of practice. This CPD may be under the auspices of a recognised provider, such as the College, or may be self-directed.
Hospitals and area health services increasingly require demonstration of participation in CPD activities and in some cases, evidence of participation in the RACP continuing professional development program, for reappointment, salary increments and staff privileges.
New Zealand *
The Health Practitioner's Competence Assurance Act 2003, provides mechanisms for improving the competence of health practitioners and for protecting the public from health practitioners who practise below the required standard of competence or who are unable to perform the required functions. It authorises the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) to establish a recertification program that requires a practitioner to undertake a systematic process for ensuring that the practitioner's services meet the required standard of competence. For this purpose, the MCNZ has adopted a recertification policy that requires participation in an accredited CPD Program for renewal of the Annual Practising Certificate. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a competence review leading to a requirement to undertake a remedial program or constraints on practice.
*NOTE: Information is correct as of April 2008.
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