International CPD Buddy Scheme
The International Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Buddy Scheme was first launched in October 2013 for mutual peer support on CPD and to strengthen networks between FPH members overseas.
The scheme has now been re-launched as group-based ‘action learning sets’, where members meet monthly to support each other with professional development plan (PDP) development, CPD reflection, annual returns, appraisals, job changes, and CPD reviews. It has been re-launched alongside the Global Health Committee webinars and Special Interest Groups and is organised by geographical region.
Overseas members and CPD
Overseas Members by distinction and International Practitioners are exempt from the Faculty CPD scheme, but the resources and facilities offered by the Faculty are available to all members who wish to take up the offer.
It is good practise to keep your CPD in one place on the MyFPH Portal. By following the CPD policy for the Faculty, you will tie in your PDP with your CPD as this facilitates your professional growth for your career and work-life balance. This is valuable for overseas members who may feel isolated, are changing jobs or working across regions.
Personal Development Plan (PDP)
The starting point for your CPD is your PDP whereby you reflect on your personal learning needs and development objectives for the year. As the Faculty's CPD year runs from April to March, it is helpful to start to think of your PDP as early as January each year (or in time for your annual appraisal, if you have one).
You should consider the full scope of your work and the likely activities you will engage in during the year. Then ask yourself how you could improve those activities, and how you can engage better with stakeholders (including colleagues, partners, senior officials, clinicians, and patients). This includes keeping up to date in those topics, which are of professional interest as well as developing new skills.
If you have a manager appraisal, you can draft your PDP in conjunction with your manager. It is also good practice to discuss your PDP with another professional or peer appraiser, and you may wish to join the Faculty CPD Buddy Scheme for the action learning sets or you can join one of the Special Interest Groups. International FPH members are a large, diverse group – whatever your situation is, it is likely there are others facing similar issues.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Continuing Professional Development represents a professional obligation to stay up to date and aligns with Good Public Health Practice. This applies to all Faculty members, even if they are exempt from the Faculty CPD Scheme.
CPD focuses on the learning and personal growth gained through work, distinct from meeting work objectives.
Members may be taking part in their organisation or licensing body CPD or as part of their own self-directed personal and professional development. Many members will be taking part in management and/or professional appraisal whether it is mandated for their current job role or desirable for their own career progression.
Access CPD diary here.
A guide how to use the online diary is available here.
To find out more or if you have any questions, please contact your International CPD Adviser, or the Faculty CPD Team at cpd@fph.org.uk.
Further information and useful resources:
Webinars
Faculty members can visit the FPH Members Portal to watch webinar recordings in the resources section.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a manager appraisal, you can draft your PDP in conjunction with your manager, even if they are not working in public health. It is also good practice to discuss your PDP with another professional or peer appraiser, and you may wish to join Faculty CPD Buddy Scheme or a Special Interest Group to find a colleague who is willing to act as your peer buddy. The Faculty also do arrange professional appraisals for a fee.
International FPH members are a large diverse group – whatever your situation is, it is likely there are others facing similar issues. The International CPD Buddy Scheme has been re-launched for mutual peer support on CPD and to strengthen networks between FPH members overseas. The action learning sets can help with regional issues or specific country issues depending on the topics that you bring to the group. Buddies can support each other with a difficult issue or career decision; or can help each other reflect on their PDPs.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the learning and personal growth that we get out of our work. The starting point for your CPD is your Personal Development Plan (PDP); whereby you reflect on your personal learning needs and development objectives for the year. Consider the full scope of your work and the likely activities you will engage in during the year; then ask yourself how you could improve those activities from a public health perspective, and how you can engage better with stakeholders (including colleagues, partners, senior officials, clinicians and patients),how you can evaluate or audit your work, and you can tackle inequalities. Your CPD is intended to help you to meet your outcomes whatever your job description. This includes keeping up to date in those topics which are of particular professional interest as well as developing new skills.
It is great that you create opportunities and manage your own CPD. This includes on the job learning and informal opportunities like:
- On the job learning where you may have, for example, undertaken a consultancy, research or teaching assignment with new learning or a new context
- Preparation for teaching, consultancy, assignments, meetings, conference presentations, reports and publications where there has been new learning for you
- Leading projects, programmes or attendance at meetings, workshops, seminars and conferences which have resulted in new learning for you
- Private reading e.g. policy documents and evidence reviews. For these, the reflective note should be specific to the article or document(s).
- Acquisition of new skills or knowledge at training sessions or workshops, e.g. media skills, chairing groups, managing conflict etc.
- Reflections following CPD buddy sessions where there has been new learning e.g. on a challenging issue or developmental learning from coaching or mentoring
This list is not exhaustive.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the learning, development, and personal growth that we get out of our work. This is to be distinguished from the effort that we put into the work; which are the work objectives. It is essential to invest time in this personal development and growth to ensure you keep up to date and provide a safe practice. We would encourage members to part in the CPD buddy scheme for mutual support, encouragement and learning.
FPH does not require accreditation of any activities for CPD purposes. Self-accreditation of relevant activities and documented reflective learning is a key component of CPD. Individuals are advised to assess the content of meetings and other CPD activities in relation to their own PDP and make a judgement about their value. This self-evaluation is actively encouraged.
For those who require it for other reasons, FPH welcomes applications for CPD accreditation of activities which are public health related or that can be contextualised for the wider public health workforce. This service is provided at a charge.
All part-time public health professionals are expected to undertake CPD, including any retired member or locums in part-time public health work. CPD requirements for part time or sessional public health professionals are the same as for full time public health professionals, on the grounds that everyone needs to be 100% competent. If this represents real difficulty for you, please contact the CPD Office as soon as possible. FPH members may be eligible for exemption from participating in FPH's CPD scheme if they do not undertake ANY public health practice. If a retired doctor or public health professional wishes to retain a license to practise, then the CPD requirements of the Faculty should be met.
