Developing a national continuing professional development framework

The African Health Professions Regulatory Collaborative, a partnership between the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Emory University, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community has provided an opportunity for countries in the east, central and southern Africa region to strengthen their nursing and midwifery regulation. Some countries have chosen to develop a national continuing professional development (CPD) programme. This article explores what some of the key features of a national CPD framework might be, drawing on the elements of other national programmes both inside and outside of Africa. The variations in national programmes are outlined, as they related to definition, principles, scope, requirement and monitoring. The article concludes that there is no ‘perfect’ model of CPD; that countries can learn from each other; and that each country should develop a model that suits its particular circumstances.