What is CPD and why is it so important for podiatrists?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a mandatory requirement set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for all registered podiatrists. It’s the ongoing process of learning and development that ensures you maintain and enhance your knowledge, skills, and professional practice throughout your career. By engaging in CPD, you can provide the highest standard of safe and effective care to your patients, keep up with the latest industry innovations, and demonstrate your commitment to professional excellence.
What kind of activities count as CPD?
The HCPC requires a mixture of different learning activities. This can include:
- Formal education: This is where Swoop Learning Ltd comes in! Online courses, workshops, and e-learning modules are excellent ways to gain new skills and knowledge.
- Work-based learning: Reflecting on your daily practice, seeking feedback, or being involved in a committee.
- Self-directed learning: This can be as simple as reading professional journals, books, or conducting research.
- Professional activities: Being part of a professional body or giving a presentation.
All these activities contribute to your CPD portfolio, helping you to meet the required standards.
What happens if I’m selected for an HCPC CPD audit?
The HCPC randomly audits a small percentage of registered podiatrists every two years. If you are selected, you must submit a detailed profile of your CPD activities for the previous two years. The profile should include:
- A summary of your practice and a brief description of your CPD activities.
- A written statement explaining how your CPD has benefited the quality of your practice and the service users.
- Evidence to support your claims, such as course certificates, reflective notes, and attendance records.
Failing an audit can put your HCPC registration at risk, which is why it’s crucial to maintain a continuous and accurate record of your CPD. Swoop Learning Ltd can help by providing a simple and accessible way to track and store your learning records.
How can Swoop Learning Ltd help me meet my HCPC CPD requirements?
Swoop Learning Ltd is designed to simplify and streamline your CPD journey. Our platform offers a range of online courses and resources that are directly relevant to your practice. We help you:
- Track your learning: Our system makes it easy to log your CPD activities, so your portfolio is always up-to-date and audit-ready.
- Reflection: we provide an easy guide for self reflection for each course.
- Access relevant courses: We provide high-quality, evidence-based courses that help you stay current with new techniques, legal standards, and best practices.
- Stay organized: All your certificates are available in one central, secure location, making it easy to save them.
By using Swoop Learning Ltd, you can focus on developing your skills and providing excellent patient care, with the confidence that you are meeting the HCPC’s standards.