A major change introduces the classification of either "Engaged in the Practice of Medicine" or "Not Engaged in the Practice of Medicine" status, which directly influences how the annual CPD requirements are applied

What constitutes "Engaged in the Practice of Medicine"?

Completing a Professional Development Plan is now required, helping to reflect, plan and focus learning objectives that align with personal and professional goals.

Planning CPD will attract up to 5 CPD credits

The Audit/Quality Improvement category has been expanded to include Audit, Quality Improvement Projects and Practice Evaluation.  A minimum of 10 credits (10 hours) is required in this category.

While the core activities have not changed significantly, the names of the CPD categories have been updated for clarity and transparency

Doctors must ensure that they have documented engagement in all eight Domains of Good Professional Practice at least once every three years

Read more about the 8 Domains of Good Professional Practice

Your Professional Development Plan helps you reflect and plan learning events relevant to your scope and stage of practice. It is now a mandatory requirement and creating a plan attracts 3 CPD credits

 The Medical Council encourages doctors to engage in peer review and also review their plan at the end of every year

In addition, you can claim 1 CPD credit if you have your Plan reviewed by a peer/colleague and 1 CPD credit if you reflect on your plan at the end of the year

Read more about Planning CPD

The Practice Review category includes Clinical or Practice Audit, Quality Improvement and Practice Evaluation projects

• Audit: Reviewing care against criteria to improve standards
• Quality Improvement: Implementing interventions for better outcomes
• Practice Evaluation: Assessing your professional performance relating to your stage and scope of practice

Read more about Practice Review

This category includes activities previously recorded under the Internal category. It involves doctors’ reflection of their clinical and non-clinical work.  Examples include:

• Grand rounds, Journal clubs, Multi-disciplinary team meetings
• Management, Policy and Committee meetings
• Personal reading or study (journals, textbooks, web journals etc.)
• Research, Publications
• Teaching, Examining, Mentoring and Supervision
• In-house education provided by your employer

Some Learning Activities Relevant to Retired Doctors

• Health and clinical service policy
• Clinical leadership, management
• Teaching, Examiner, Mentoring, SDR assessment
• CPD verification
• Patient incident assessment
• Medico-legal work, Professional Advisor, Voluntary, Others

Read more about Work-Based Learning

Accredited CE activity includes attendance at relevant educational events, conferences, courses, and workshops at local, national, international level.  CE activity must be accredited in Ireland or in the State where it is delivered.  Some examples include:

• Local, Regional, National, International accredited meetings
• Conferences/Seminars/Webinars. Presentations to scientific meetings
• Training Bodies, College, Medical Societies
• Education, Training and Simulation Programmes
• Courses, workshops, seminars, diplomas
• Online learning courses, modules, workshops
• Masterclass series also webcast
• Relevant academic qualification (degree, diploma, course)

Read more about Accredited Continuing Education

The Professional Competence year runs from 1 May to 30 April.  During this 12-month period you must:

• Enrol in a Professional Competence Scheme and record CPD activities in your ePortfolio for Professional Competence
• Engage in and record a minimum of 50 hours of CPD activity per year, made up as follows:
  • Planning CPD – up to 5 CPD credits
  • Practice Review – minimum 10 CPD credits
  • Work-based Learning – minimum 15 CPD credits
  • Accredited Continuing Education – minimum 20 CPD credits
  • Assign all eight Domains of Good Professional Practice at least once in every 3 years

Read more about this topic

The Professional Competence year runs from 1 May to 30 April.  During this 12-month period you must:

• Enrol in a Professional Competence Scheme and record CPD activities in your ePortfolio
• Engage in and record a minimum of 50 hours of CPD activity per year, made up as follows:
  • Planning CPD – up to 5 CPD credits per year
  • Practice Review/Work-based learning – minimum of 25 CPD credits
  • Accredited Continuing Education – minimum 20 CPD credits
  • Assign all eight Domains of Good Professional Practice at least once in every 3 years

Read more about this topic