The learning that you do over a year will typically be a mixture of:
The GMC have stated that CPD activities must be appropriate and relevant to the specific needs and scope of a doctor's area of practice, and reflected.
Reflection is a key theme and input of appraisal. The benefits derived from learning is maximised by reflection which can often lead to the identification of new development needs.
In the context of medical appraisal, a Personal Development Plan (PDP) is a set of learning objectives agreed at previous appraisal where you commit to achieving them in the next year.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a log of all your learning activities, usually reflects on how you are achieving your PDP.
Consider CPD as the appraisal input, and PDP as the outcome.
Your CPD log should show that you:
By documenting your varied learning and reflections in a CPD log, it allows flexibility to suit different learning styles, e.g. taking part in courses, reading of journals, or personal studies. It's important to document the outcomes beyond the standard attendance certificates as part of your reflections, e.g. what you learned by presenting the outcome of a learning (such as a protocol, guideline or management plan etc).
Remember too that we can learn informally in a variety of ways. These can include:
The extent to which this informal unplanned learning is of value will depend on its relevance to what you do, and on your ability to recall it and put it to subsequent use. Make sure to include them in your log.
There are numerous different ways you can log your learning. Most royal colleges will have their own portfolio system which includes a CPD function, which you should be able to export into a PDF document for uploading to SOAR as part of your supporting information.
SOAR itself also has a CPD log function integrated into the appraisal process, though its use is not mandatory.
If you have your own preferred method/format of recording your learning, by all means continue to use it. For those who wishes to retain a local copy rather than make use of any of the online systems, we have provided a sample Learning Log below in Microsoft Excel format.
Whichever works for you, just make sure you include a CPD log and include your reflections as part of your appraisal submission.
TEMPLATE: Learning Log
An online CPD log has been added to SOAR so you can enter your CPD entries directly, rather than using this spreadsheet. However, if you wish to use the spreadsheet instead, please note the following instructions: This Excel spreadsheet is designed to help the user record their learning activities throughout the year. Save this spreadsheet to your computer (right-click > Save target as) and work on this as you go. Upload the final version to SOAR when the time comes for your appraisal. Make sure you check the worksheet "Examples and Tips" for guidance. Although originally designed specifically for GPs, it can also be used by consultants.
Date updated: 07/11/2024
Size: 16603 - KB
Type: xlsx
This page was last updated on: 21/11/2024
