The Medical Council has stated that for the Professional Competence Year beginning on 1 May 2021 and ending on 30 April 2022, doctors are required to undertake and record the following activity:

• 25 CPD credits (in any category: External, Internal, Personal Learning, Research or Teaching); and
• One Clinical / Practice Audit

The Medical Council has changed Professional Competence requirements for the 2021-2022 year. You can read the Medical Council/COVID-19 updates here (see Section Regulation and CPD).

RCSI continue to encourage you to take a broader approach, where it is possible to do so, to ensure you participate in at least 20 hours of external activities, 20 hours of hospital based events and record your personal learning.

You are required to complete one clinical/practice audit in respect of your own practice during the PCS year 1^st May 2021 – 30^th April 2022. Essentially this clinical/practice audit is a systematic review and evaluation of your current practice with reference to research-based standards to improve patient care. An audit is a continuous process aiming to improve patient’s care and practice excellence.

The recommended time for audit activity is 12 hours per year. This includes preparation time, data collection. Depending on circumstance (e.g. Hospital practice, independent practice, community, practice) this maybe be easily achievable through systems already in place or may require bespoke projects designed and implemented by the doctor.   RCSI PCS Clinical Audit User Guide

The Medical Council has reviewed advice in relation to data protection implications on Clinical /practice audit and confirms that t General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the Data Protection Act 2018 do not preclude doctors underatking propely designed audits. They have requested that we circulate the following link so that you are informed of this advice – click here

The following are some useful links in relation to GDPR and Audit

• HSE:  The National review of Clinical Audit

• NOCA:  (National Office of Clinical Audit) GDPR Guidance for clinical audit  

• RCSI : Guide to General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)

Please note enrolments for our 2021/22 CPD Support Scheme will close in 2 weeks on 30 September 2021. Applications for the support scheme can be submitted here.

For more information, read our brand-new FAQs section here.

Should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact our CPD Support Scheme team at cpdss@rcsi.ie

Professionalism in 21st Century Medical Practice

RCSI has developed an online course “Professionalism in 21st Century Medical Practice” which is aimed at medical doctors in all specialties. The course is based on the Medical Council’s “Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners” and is presented in an interesting and engaging format.

There are 12 online modules covering different aspects of Medical Professionalism and each module can attract 5 CPD credits. An online introductory video (5-7 minutes per module) is supported by a Learning Resource Area which contains carefully selected reading materials and videos related to the subject matter of the module.

On completion of the reading and viewing tasks, you can take a MCQ test to earn your CPD points and even print your own certificate!

The course is designed to be accessed on any mobile device, which means that it can be accessed anytime and anywhere. You may study the modules in any order and at your own pace. This online course on Professionalism will be available to all registered medical doctors in Ireland.  

For more information visit: https://msurgery.ie/course/professionalism-in-21st-century-medical-practice/

Handover Course   

This online course aims to support clinicians to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively prepare and participate in clinical handover. The course demonstrates how good communication skills can achieve continuity and safety of patient care during handover. The application of ISBAR3 is examined in a variety of clinical settings using video analysis of everyday handover situations.

This course is recognised for 3 CPD credits

For more information visit:  https://msurgery.ie/course/handover-course/ 

Video Consultation Course & Communication Skills for Telephone Consultation

Many healthcare staff are now carrying out consultations using video calls. This is often a type of consultation that staff have not encountered prior to COVID-19 and can be an area of anxiety. Building on the previous course on telephone consultations, this course shows you how to apply the core skills of the Calgory-Cambridge Guide to video consultations and telephone consultations provides a structured and patient-centered approach.

This course is recognised for 3 CPD credits

For more information visit:   https://msurgery.ie/course/video-consultation-course/

Join our Wednesday webinar at 6pm which will be a discussion around Sepsis, Surgery and the New Clinical Guidelines

Click HERE to register

1 CPD credit for attendance at live webinar