AFRM eBulletin – 14 April 2023
The topic du jour is MyCPD. It is on everyone’s mind both because the activity entries for the 2022 CPD year closed on 31 March and because of the new CPD framework for 2023. Members will have recently received a letter regarding the new CPD program framework. I have certainly had lots of questions from members about it recently. Just like everyone else I am still learning the ins and outs of the new program.
It is worth members spending time now i.e. early in the CPD year to understand the changes and new requirements. This will avoid the stress late in the evening on 31 March 2024 when you are entering your MyCPD activities and discover that you haven’t fulfilled all requirements.
The two biggest changes I have noticed are a) the need to record activities across all three categories i.e. educational activities, reviewing performance and measuring outcomes and b) two compulsory components i.e. annual performance conversation and a professional development plan.
For some members the changes will only have minimal impact on reaching the requirements. But for others it will be a significant change, especially the two new mandatory requirements. To assist members, there are a number of online resources available that explain the new processes.
There are also resources explaining how to put together a professional development plan and resources that explain the types of activities that can be included in different parts of the CPD framework.
Some members may be thinking they don’t participate in activities across all three categories. I recommend you read the RACP resources, as you may find that you are already participating in activities that can be included in CPD but you didn’t realise it. These resources can be accessed here.
There are many possible activities that will accrue CPD hours. Some examples include:
- Members can consider having a look at some of the educational resources available in the RACP website in Medflix. Medflix contains an extraordinary range of lectures and short courses on all sorts of topics all freely accessible to members. And they can accrue CPD hours.
- We also still have a number of vacancies on our AFRM committees. Participation in committees will accrue hours in MyCPD.
- For those members who are supervisors, you are reminded that all supervisors must complete SPDP3 this year in order to maintain supervisor accreditation. For anyone needing to complete the module, the RACP website has list of available online and face-to-face sessions. You can register online and participation accrues CPD hours.
Moving to another topic, each year there are a number of awards and grants within AFRM and across the College available for different purposes. And each year there are only a few members that apply. A number of these wards and grants are opening for applications soon. You can access information regarding what is available, the application processes and eligibility is here.
Finally, a reminder that the abstract submission for the 2023 RMSANZ ASM is now open and event registrations will open on Tuesday, 16 May 2023. And of course, presenting at the ASM accrues CPD hours.
Dr Jennifer Mann
AFRM President
Rehab in Review is a surveillance journal of the literature most important to the practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation. The editors of this publication generously provide this publication to the Faculty and all its members at no cost. View the Rehab in Review March 2023 edition.
Note: The password on the RACP log in page has been updated, so please check the website.
The 2023 Aotearoa NZ AFRM Symposium took place on Saturday, 11 March 2023 in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.
We were pleased to welcome keynote speaker Sean Gray, CEO of Peke Waihanga - Artificial Limb Service who kicked off the event with a talk on the innovative, data-driven work his service is providing in improving the lives of amputees.
The Dr Boris Mak Rehabilitation Medicine Trainee Award for Best Presentation (Aotearoa New Zealand) 2023
Dr Richard Seemann presented prizes to the following winners:
First place to Dr Michael Dawson - Pressure Injury in New Zealand Spinal Cord Injured Patients: Impact on length of stay and demographic risk factors.
Second place to Dr Juan Rodriguez - Upper Limb Motor Function in Paediatric Stroke.
Wellington put on a fabulous day for members to enjoy during their lunch break at the waterfront.
Thanks also to Fellows who presented on various topics, including Dr Richard Seemann, Dr Sheela Perumal, Dr Jurriaan de Groot, Dr Robin Sekerak, and trainee Dr Somu Victor.
The 2024 Aotearoa NZ AFRM Symposium will be held in Te Wai Pounamu, South Island - date TBC.
The 2023 RACP AFRM Educational Development Grant worth up to $10,000 is just one of the grants offered in this round. This grant can go towards gaining new technical expertise, training at an appropriate institution, or participation and presenting a paper at a conference or scientific meeting in fields and competencies relevant to rehabilitation.
Other Educational Development Grants available include:
- Skilled Medical Scholarship for Advancement of Indigenous Health
- Aotearoa New Zealand Educational Development Grant
To access the eligibility criteria and the online application form, please visit the RACP Foundation webpage.
Applications for 2023 funding round one close Tuesday, 2 May 2023.
Applications for the RACP Foundation Research Awards for 2024 open Monday, 1 May 2023.
These include the following Faculty awards:
- AFRM Research Entry Scholarship $45,000
- AFRM Research Development Fellowship $10,000
- AFRM Bruce Ford Travelling Fellowship $10,000
In all, upwards of 50 awards with a total value of $2.5 million are available across the different categories: Career Development Fellowships, Research Establishment Fellowships and Research Entry Scholarships.
Applications for Research Development Grants and Travel Grants open Saturday, 1 July 2023.
Fellows and trainees across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand are eligible to apply for most awards. Please refer to the RACP Foundation website for information on specific eligibility requirements for each award.
Date: Sunday, 10 to Wednesday, 13 September 2023
Location: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
More information can be found on the ROC.
The NSW Lecture Series & Bi National Training Program lectures will proceed as scheduled between February and November 2023. Trainees can join via videoconference. Please register for the lectures.
Visit RACP events for more information.
The new CPD Simplified online learning resource provides Fellows with an overview of the RACP’s continuing professional development program, MyCPD. Learn how to easily plan, complete, and record activities to meet the annual CPD requirements. Access engaging case studies and examples which will help you identify CPD opportunities in your daily practice.
Don’t forget to claim CPD for time spent on RACP Online Learning.
Your Fellowship means you belong to the RACP MyCPD Home
There are many benefits of being a part of the RACP CPD Home, including access to the MyCPD platform, interactive handbooks and template, and a wide range of quality resources on the RACP Online Learning platform. We are dedicated to supporting you throughout your career to meet your CPD requirements, and our CPD team are on hand to provide you with expert and tailored support.
Looking to meet your peer review requirements and connect with colleagues? Log onto the RACP Online Community (ROC) and explore the Mentor Match program where you will find space dedicated to fulfilling the CPD Category 2: Reviewing Performance.
You have never stopped learning. We’re here to make sure that continues. My RACP. MyCPD Home.
View the short video
Did you know that the RACP Online Community (ROC) is a private, secure place where you can post messages and engage in discussions with other members? It’s also where you can take advantage of our Member and Special Interest directories and participate in our Mentor Match program.
The ROC is exclusive to RACP members and Overseas Trained Physicians (OTPs) and is the perfect way to keep up-to-date with what’s happening in your community and the College as a whole.
To access the ROC, simply download the app from the App Store or Google Play, or log in via MyRACP.
Watch this short video to see how easy it is to log in to the ROC and be part of the conversation.
By completing your ‘my work profile’ you will provide us with valuable insights which we can use to make evidence-based and informed advocacy decisions for improving workforce planning. All you need to do is log in to My RACP, click ‘update my work profile’ and answer a few questions about your work activities.
Complete ‘my work profile’
Conferences and Events
Go to the events list at any time to see what events are coming up.
Rehabilitation Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand (RMSANZ)
RMSANZ is the professional body for rehabilitation physicians and trainees in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
AFRM contact details
Member enquiries
Phone: (AUS) 1300 69 7227
Phone: (AoNZ) 0508 69 7227
Email: memberservices@racp.edu.au
AFRM Faculty enquiries (including Council and Committees)
Email: afrm@racp.edu.au
AFRM Aotearoa NZ Committee
Phone: +64 4 460 8142
Email: nz_afrm@racp.org.nz
AFRM education and training enquiries
Education Officer
Phone: +61 8247 6233
Email: rehab@racp.edu.au
AFRM oral examination enquiries
Ella Campbell
Examination Coordinator
Phone: +61 2 9256 9659
Email: faculty.examinations@racp.edu.au
AFRM training site accreditation enquiries
Sophia Komarkowski
Education Officer
Phone: 1300 MYRACP (1300 697 227)
Email: accreditation@racp.edu.au