On 1 December 2019, the Chiropractic Board of Australia (the Chiropractic Board) introduced revised guidelines for continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for Australian chiropractors.
This is the most significant change to occur to the standard since the introduction of the National Law in 2010. The revised standard empowers practitioners to develop and document their own learning plans, complete appropriate CPD programs to meet their needs and reflect on their CPD.
Within the revised standard, CPD is no longer defined in terms of ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ learning, but chiropractors must undertake at least 20 hours of CPD activities as outlined in the Chiropractic Board’s Registration Standard: Continuing Professional Development, to meet registration requirements. The completed CPD must:
- seek to improve patient health outcomes, safety and experience;
- draw on the best available evidence, including well-established and accepted knowledge that is supported by research where possible, to inform good practice and decision-making;
- contribute directly to maintaining and improving your competence and keeping you up to date in your chosen scope and setting of practice; and
- build on your existing knowledge.
Completed CPD programs and activities should also reflect the competencies that chiropractors need to maintain and include up-to-date information that is supported by evidence-based, patient-centred practice. It should also emphasise active participation, be implemented in and relevant to day-to-day practice and where possible be interprofessional and interactive.
As part of CPD requirements, chiropractors must maintain a first aid qualification equivalent to either:
- HLTAID001 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), valid for one year and updated annually; or
- HLTAID003 Provide First Aid, which is valid for three years.
A key element of the revised standard requires chiropractors to record a reflection on the learnings gained from completed CPD. This includes what you learnt and how you might use it to improve your practice. You must also plan and record learning goals and the activities that you will do to meet these goals as well as complete the activities and record your reflection.
The mandatory CPD learning portfolio continues to require records and copies of completion certificates or similar evidence to support the successful execution of your learning plan. It must also include notes from the CPD activity that address your knowledge, attitudes, understanding and achievements, learning goals and reflections.
It is also recommended that when planning CPD, chiropractors should review best practice standards or evidence-based practice, identify changes in the profession including standards of care and undertake a self-assessment to identify possible areas for improvement.
CPD providers or activities, are no longer assessed or accredited by recognised assessing bodies such as ACA or Chiropractic Australia so when selecting CPD activities chiropractors will need to consider the qualifications and credentials of the provider, the range of activities and their consistency with the Chiropractic Boards standard.
As the Chiropractic Board often conduct audits on the registration of chiropractors, your compliance with the standard is imperative, as a potential audit involves a review of your CPD record, including your goals, activities completed and your reflection. A record of your CPD must be maintained for at least five years.
The Chiropractic Board has published a range of documents and guides to help chiropractors understand all the requirements outlined in the revised standard, including details on planning and reflections, recording keeping and types of CPD activities. ACA have collated all of these new resources into one page for members at members.chiro.org.au/cpd
A template CPD portfolio to help you plan and document your learning goals, activities and reflections can also be found at here, along with other supporting documents and example templates.
ACA will continue to support members through these changes, providing information on the latest updates and assist through this transition.
