Osteopaths are obliged to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date with a lifelong learning programme of continuing professional development (CPD). This can include lectures, seminars, courses, practical sessions, individual study or other activities that can advance an osteopath’s professional development.
We require all registered osteopaths to complete at least 30 hours of CPD every year, of which 15 hours must involve learning with others. This is because many osteopaths work on their own and group learning allows them to exchange information and expertise with other osteopaths.
There are now also postgraduate courses for osteopaths in a range of subjects, including sports care and osteopathic treatment of children.
The CPD Discussion Document looks at the purpose and structure of our CPD scheme. It outlines some of the challenges of the current CPD scheme and some suggestions for how the scheme might be improved.
The document is designed to generate debate during the course of the Revalidation Pilot, which will end in October 2012. Responses to the discussion document, along with the evaluation and impact assessment of the draft revalidation scheme, will help to inform proposals for improving the CPD scheme, which will be consulted on during 2013-14.
We hope that all those with an interest in osteopathy will contribute to the debate, including patients and the public and osteopaths. To read the discussion document and send us your response, visit our live consultations page.