About the scheme
The CPD scheme was developed through extensive work in partnership with osteopaths and other stakeholders and aims to support better practice and patient care.
The three underpinning themes of the CPD scheme are engagement, support and community. Most importantly, the CPD scheme aims to address professional isolation by fostering a culture of peer support and creating collaborative learning environments. The scheme also promotes engaging with fellow osteopaths in a supportive way by building a CPD community.
As part of the development of the new scheme, osteopaths volunteered to become what we called ‘Early Adopters,’ trying out new CPD elements before it became mandatory. The aim of the early adopter programme was for osteopaths to share their ideas and experiences with the profession to help us create and develop useful CPD resources and case studies.
A timeline of progress
Here is an overview of some key dates in the progress of our CPD scheme.
Summer 2016
Early adopter recruitment
December 2016 - March 2017
Early adopter events
June 2018
CPD rules amended
1 September 2018
Updated OPS published prior to coming into effect 1 September 2019
1 October 2018
New CPD scheme launches
Why has the CPD scheme changed?
The GOsC introduced a system of CPD back in 2006. Since then, the scheme has been monitored in practice, including feedback from osteopaths, osteopathic organisations and
CPD providers.
Working closely with others, we have created this new strengthened scheme by building on what we know is working well. The new CPD scheme has many familiar features, with some additional clearer requirements in areas where there is evidence that practice could
be improved.
The new CPD scheme also aims to help reduce professional isolation, which has been reported by some osteopaths, through fostering a culture of peer support and creating collaborative learning environments.
What counts as CPD?
The definition of CPD is very broad and can include any activity that maintains, enhances and develops osteopathic professional practice.
CPD includes any learning undertaken by an osteopath, for example discussion of CPD and practice with a colleague, courses, seminars, practical sessions, elearning, reading, research, individual study, peer discussion review, mentoring and any other activities that can advance practice.
Undertaking CPD is an ongoing aspect of professional practice. Standard B3 of the Osteopathic Practice Standards states that osteopaths ‘must keep professional knowledge and skills up to date’. To achieve this, osteopaths must be professionally engaged, undertaking professional development activities and keeping up to date with factors relevant to ongoing practice (including the wider healthcare environment).
For CPD to be defined as ‘learning with others’, it must also involve interaction (both giving and receiving information to inform learning) with osteopaths, healthcare practitioners or other professionals.
CPD must be reflected on and recorded by the osteopath. You can find a range of examples and templates to help you with this in the Keeping a Record section.