Tips and FAQ

Please see the Categories and Examples page.

Recording CPD activities

The CPD recording spreadsheet is useful for all Fellows submitting an annual return, to help them keep track of their hours per category as the year progresses.

The following IQA documents, focused mainly on Reviewing Performance and Quality, provide a variety of templates (some with sample entries) which Fellows may find useful for their purposes. Note that while some mention specific disciplines, structures can be adapted for any scope of practice.

Formal Case Review Sheet

Quality Log Issue

MDT Case Presentation

Internal 2nd Opinion

External 2nd Opinion

Case Audit Worksheet

Protocol for Random Audit Template - Histopathology

Professional Development Plan (PDP)

The College encourages all Fellows to complete a Professional Development Plan (PDP), but it is compulsory for all medical Fellows registered in Australia, and all medical and dental Fellows registered in New Zealand, effective from 2020. Note that while some documents mention specific disciplines, structures can be adapted for any scope of practice.

PDP example: General Pathology - Management and Leadership

PDP example: Microbiology – Infection Control and Genomics

PDP example: Anatomical Pathology - Cytopathology

PDP Word template 1

PDP Word template 2

PDP Excel template 1

Structured Annual Conversation

The RCPA encourages Fellows to arrange an annual conversation with a peer, colleague or employer, to review their goals, achievements, continuing professional development needs, and opportunities. This process may prove useful in constructing Professional Development Plans (PDP).

Suggested template for recording Annual Conversation or reviewing Professional Development Plan

Though there is no College CPD requirement for trainees or retired Fellows, both categories of Member are welcome to participate in the program. This participation is ‘self-managed’ in that only Members who are required to complete CPD will be sent regular reminders by the College. If you are not currently participating in CPD but would like to do so, please contact cpdp@rcpa.edu.au

It is RCPA policy that all registered medical and dental Fellows must individually participate in External Quality Assurance (EQA) activities where suitable activities or programs exist for the applicable scope of practice. Individual enrolment in such programs is not required, but some examples of suitable programs offered by the RCPA QAP for individual participation are as follows:

• Anatomical pathology diagnostic proficiency modules
• Gynaecological and non-gynaecological cytopathology
• Chemical pathology patient report comments
• Haematology morphology
• Immunopathology case study module
• Serology specimen-free program
• Training and Competency Assessment Modules

Which category applies?

Category C (Reviewing Performance) may apply for individual enrolment in a QAP program where your own work is being reviewed. Participation in quality assurance activities, including QAP self- assessment programs, may be included in category D (Quality and Outcomes Measures) where there is a quality improvement focus. There is overlap however, and participants may choose whichever category they believe to be most appropriate.

QAP also offers some educational modules for personal study (Category B). Examples include the Biosecurity eLearning Program and the Synovial Fluid Educational Program.

For further details, please see the QAP website.

The RCPA offers online educational modules and case studies that can add to your category B (Personal Study) requirements. They include:

• eCases - a collection of over 1500 virtual microscopy cases in anatomical pathology, forensic pathology and haematology
• Anti-discrimination, Harassment and Bullying module
• Mentoring Trainees module
• Cultural safety modules
• Ethics, Professionalism and Confidentiality module
• Laboratory Safety module
• Quality Management module
• Online modules for supervisors of trainees

If you would like to boost your category C (Reviewing Performance) credits, you could consider contributing collaboratively to the development of new resources or revision of existing ones. If you have any ideas, please contact education@rcpa.edu.au.

Australian and New Zealand pathologists who are not engaged in pathology practice (eg, haematologists or anatomical pathologists who are involved in clinical, academic or managerial work rather than lab-based pathology) may elect to become a ‘non-practising’ Fellow.

This status removes the obligation to submit CPD but Fellowship remains otherwise unaffected. There is no variation in fees accompanying non-practising status.

As CPD participation is generally a condition of re-registration as a practising specialist, it is the responsibility of the Fellow to notify AHPRA or the MCNZ of their non-participation in the College’s CPD program. Both registering bodies offer a non-practising specialist registration status.

Fellows intending to re-enter pathology practice at some future date are strongly advised to maintain their CPDP participation and compliance where possible, as stringent conditions apply to recommencement of practice. These conditions align with the Medical Board of Australia’s Recency of Practice Standard and the section on Absence from Practice in the College's CPD policy.

Fellows not intending to return to practice may elect to cease membership of the College, but should note that this precludes further use of RCPA post-nominals.

Please contact the CPD Administrator (cpdp@rcpa.edu.au) if you have any questions.