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What is CPD?

Continuous professional development is the ongoing updating of knowledge and refining of skills that is required to ensure competency in the workplace. This is a continually reflective practice that requires determining the skill that needs to be developed and what resources you will require in order to achieve the new skill/knowledge.

Requirements?

For all members of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) there is a mandatory requirement to complete a minimum of 100 hours CPD over a three year period.

This is divided between informal and formal CPD (please see link below), with a minimum of 30 points in each category

A maximum of 10 points can be allocated to uncertified personal learning over the three year period.

1 hour of CPD activity = 1 CPD point

How do I record my CPD activities?

In order to gain maximum accreditation for CPD activities, they must be evidence based and recorded in a professional portfolio. This can then be used in job applications. Please follow the link below for information on the ISCP website on an Individual CPD Planning Tool which will help you to accurately record all CPD activities and the List of Approved CPD Activities (formal and informal) also http://www.iscp.ie/component/search/?searchword=CPD&ordering&searchphrase=all

For more information please visit Chartered Society of Physiotherapists UK FAQS on CPD http://www.csp.org.uk/professional-union/careers-development/cpd/common-questions

Informal CPD

Volunteering
Journal clubs
Research
Presentations
Committee work
ISCP/WCPT
Student education/supervision
Organisation of professional events
Courses and learning

Volunteer in Ireland

General guidelines:

Be specific about the time/period that you will be volunteering for and responsibilities involved during this period.What skills and experience will be available to you during your volunteering?There are multiple possibilities in Ireland to gain valuable experience with various organisations. Here are some examples:

Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Ireland (SBHI):

http://www.sbhi.ie/get-involved.html

Enable Ireland:

http://www.enableireland.ie/press-and-news/graduate-therapy-volunteer-programme

Special Olympics Ireland: http://futures4physios.jimdo.com/ireland/volunteering/sports-events/

Brain Injury Ireland:

http://www.headway.ie/resources/links.html

Parkinsons Ireland:

http://parkinsons.ie/professional-network

Stroke:

http://www.strokescheme.ie/

Sporting events e.g. 5K, 10k, marathons, triathlons.

Contact the organisers and ask if there is Chartered Physiotherapist providing pre- and post-race advice, massage etc. Chartered Physiotherapists have very relevant and useful skills.

Research

If you didn’t do a dissertation as one of your modules or are simply looking for more CPD points, there are always opportunities for research.

Firstly, approach a lecturer that you are familiar with to ask if they would like assistance on acurrent research project; for example, analysing data. This is an opportune way to potentially have your name on a published research project – something which is always useful for your CV.

You can also try looking on the ISCP website for any upcoming research projects. Be sure to inform your Universities Physiotherapy Department that you are looking to assist withresearch, as there is often research being undertaken in affiliated hospitals such as St. James’ or St.Vincent’s.

Student Education

Student Supervision

Don’t forget to look to where it all began – enquire in your University Physiotherapy Department.College Departments are always looking for help with undergraduate modules and small group sessions and tutorials.

Volunteer Overseas

Volunteering overseas provides multiple opportunities to use your physiotherapy skills to aidothers. An example of one such programme is UCD Volunteers Overseas (www.ucdvo.org/) – an organisation which provides opportunities for UCD students to volunteer on various projects in the developing world. Other volunteer opportunities abroad can be found at these links

Suas: http://www.suas.ie/volunteer-overseas

Projects Abroad: http://www.projects-abroad.ie/volunteer-projects/medicine-and-healthcare/physiotherapy/

Committees

By joining the ISCP and CSP you have access to a variety of Clinical Interest Groups, free online learning resources and courses, numerous different courses. These are often free for undergraduates or new graduates or incur a small fee for other members. Getting involved at an organisational level with these groups can open any number of doors to new opportunities.

There are many opportunities to volunteer your time and energy, both at home and abroad. This is invaluable experience. It doesn’t even have to be physiotherapy related, it’s about showing initiative and being willing to help, you will then reap the rewards. Although it doesn’t have to be physiotherapy related, it is always great if you can share your skills and make a difference.

Journal Club

Journal clubs contribute greatly to education and are strongly encouraged in physiotherapy departments. They encourage physiotherapists to understand, gather information from the current literature and develop the ability to critically appraise articles. Setting up a journal club in college will result in developing critical appraisal thinking and will result in knowledge of new skills. To find out more information on how to set up a journal club in college please follow this link: http://ajcc.aacnjournals.org/site/misc/journalclubwebpage.pdf