Professional Performance Framework update

In November 2017 the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) released the Professional Performance Framework. The MBA says the Framework “will support doctors to take responsibility for their own performance and encourage the profession collectively to raise professional standards and build a positive, respectful culture in medicine that benefits patients and doctors”.

The Framework is MBA’s response to the report of its Expert Advisory Group on revalidation.

The Framework, which is evidence-based, integrated and builds on existing initiatives, has five pillars:

1. Strengthened continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.
2. Active assurance of safe practice.
3. Strengthened assessment and management of medical practitioners with multiple substantiated complaints.
4. Guidance to support practitioners.
5. Collaborations to foster a culture of medicine that is focused on patient safety, based on respect and encourages doctors to take care of their own health and well-being.

We are told it will be implemented iteratively, with some elements already in place and others requiring planning and consultation.

“Nothing is going to change tomorrow for individual doctors. We will be consulting widely and seeking expert advice on many elements of the framework” MBA Chair, Dr Joanna Flynn said.

The College supports the fundamental purpose of the framework and will continue to work closely with the MBA to ensure it implements a workable system for the health profession.

The College is currently reviewing the documentation to understand how it will impact Fellows and the College’s operational processes. The College already provides a high quality CPD service. Changes regarding a smarter CPD, which enhance our current service, are welcomed. 

The Framework requires:

• all doctors must have a CPD home
• CPD to be relevant to scope of practice
• CPD to be based on personal professional development plans
• 50 hours of CPD activity per year, including a mix of:
  • performance review
  • outcome measurement
  • educational activities.
• CPD home to report to the Board where medical practitioners have not completed their CPD program requirements.

The 2017 MyCPD Framework will not change in 2018.  Developments to reflect incoming changes on requirements relevant for the 2019 MyCPD Framework will be considered with guidance and support from the RACP CPD Committee. 

However, the impact of the 70 years and older health check and remediation for professionally isolated physicians and poorly performing doctors needs to be discussed further.

Further information about the Professional Performance Framework will be communicated to members as the consultation progresses.

Additional information about the Framework is available on the MBA website.