What is CPD and what are CPD points?

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a continuing learning process, outside of formal undergraduate and postgraduate training that helps healthcare professionals maintain and improve their skills and performance to practice safely. It covers the development of knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours across all areas of professional practice. It includes both formal and informal learning activities.

Because of the inextricable link between planetary and human health, it is essential CPD undertaken by healthcare professionals includes education relating to the triple planetary crisis, the impacts this has upon human health and healthcare systems and how we can manage these demands, mitigate, adapt and communicate.

CPD points or credits provide a useful way of recording participation in continuing professional development, but they are a measure of educational activity rather than necessarily of learning. For professional development and revalidation, the greater value lies in what has been learned, reflected upon and translated into practice. Simply accumulating CPD points does not demonstrate that knowledge, understanding or behaviour has changed.

Reflection encourages learners to consider why the education matters, how it relates to their role and whether it should influence their future practice. A strong approach to CPD should therefore recognise time spent learning, while placing greater emphasis on meaningful engagement, reflection and evidence of learning or change.