P245 Enhancing CPD, quality improvement and best practice

Since 2011 recording of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities is mandatory in Ireland.Doctors must participate in a range of learning activities reflecting their scope of practice and include the 8 Domains of Good Professional Practice. Each year they must achieve 50 CPD credits (20 External, 20 Internal, 5 Personal Learning and 5 flexible) along with conducting a Clinical Audit. Construction of a Personal Development Plan (PDP) is recommended, but not mandatory. The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland provides a Professional Competence Programme in Paediatrics, Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pathology, Public Health and Occupational Medicine. Purpose of the study Assess CPD credits achieved and percentage of participants who performed an audit. Identify areas of good practice and barriers preventing engagement in order to enhance CPD and engage participants. Methods Data submitted electronically from 2011 to 2018 were analysed using SPSS. In 2018, participants were requested to complete a 28 item questionnaire regarding perceived barriers, their recommendations to improve engagement and their desired relevant learning activities. Results Number of participants enrolled increased each year from 2738 in 2012 to 4446 in 2018. Age range in 2018: 25–91 yrs (49% aged 35–55 yrs; 5% over 65 yrs), 54% male. CPD credits achieved along with completion of an audit increased each year. In 2017, 88% of RCPI Fellows achieved >50 CPD Credits fulfilling all categories along with submitting an audit. In 2016, 1381 (40.3%) physicians completed a PDP. Those who completed a PDP were more likely to achieve ≥50 credits (p ≤ 0.001) and complete an audit (p ≤ 0.001). Since 2017 early completion of a PDP has been incentivised with 2 Internal credits and the number completing a PDP increased from 1369 in 2016 to 1824 in 2018. Physicians reported very positive perceptions regarding CPD with only 7% reporting it as a bad idea. Major barriers included time and finances to engage in CPD activities along with time required to record learning activities and obtain evidence of participation. Preferred types of CPD activities included attending conferences (71%) and on line courses (57%). Conclusions Whilst the proportion of participants achieving CPD requirements has increased, we must further promote the need to resource and facilitate engagement with CPD, provide relevant learning activities along with continuing development of electronic platforms to facilitate recording of data. Further research and support is required particularly in relation to the vulnerable group of Non Consultant Hospital Doctors not in training posts.