Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Policy September 2002

1. Introduction

The Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Working Party was formed in July 2002 to review and further develop ATMS CPE policy.

In August 2002, the Working Party developed a CPE Discussion Paper and undertook a consultative process with all members and invited feedback on all aspects of the reviewed CPE program. The responses from 259 members were analysed, and the views of members were instrumental in the development of the ATMS CPE Policy.

The CPE Policy is designed to be flexible and reviewed regularly in order to meet the changing professional needs of ATMS members and the community expectation of complementary medicine practitioners.

2. What is CPE?

Continuing Professional Education is defined as a well-structured program of further education for graduates in the professional occupations.

The ATMS CPE Policy is designed to ensure its practitioners regularly update their clinical skills and professional knowledge. One of the chief roles of CPE is to bridge the gap between the skills and knowledge gained as a student, and the skills and knowledge actually required in clinical practice. Being taught how to do something is quite different than actually being able to do it.

A CPE program is generally regarded as an integral part of one's professional life. Being a professional person generally implies a commitment to updating and furthering one's education. It is not enough for a person to become a professional, one must remain a professional.

3. Principles Underpinning the ATMS CPE Policy

The ATMS CPE Policy is founded on the following principles:

1) Easily accessible to all members, regardless of geographic location

2) Members should be given broad latitude in the selection and design of their individual learning programs

3) Applicable to not only the disciplines in which a member has ATMS accreditation, but also to other practices that are relevant to clinical practice which ATMS does not accredit eg ayurveda, yoga, reiki, etc

4) Applicable to not only clinical practice, but also to all activities associated in managing a small business eg bookkeeping, advertising, marketing etc

5) Seminars, workshops and conferences that qualify for CPE points must be of a high standard and encompass both broad based topics as well as discipline-specific topics

6) Effectively managed by a committee specifically established to develop and implement CPE

7) Financially viable, so that costs will not inhibit participation by ATMS members, especially those in remote areas

8) Relevant to the learning needs of practitioners, taking into account different learning styles and needs

9) Collaborative process between professional complementary medicine associations, teaching institutions, suppliers of therapeutic goods and devices and government agencies to offer members the widest possible choice in CPE activities

10) Emphasis on consultation and co-operation with ATMS members in the development and implementation of the CPE program.

4. The CPE Committee

The role of the CPE Committee is to oversee and be responsible for reviewing, implementing and monitoring the CPE program, and ensure that the CPE program is of the highest standard to match the expectations and requirements of members.

The membership of the CPE Committee is the ATMS President, Company Secretary, the Members Representatives and the Heads of Departments. The CPE Committee will meet no less than three times per year.

The CPE Committee is the point of contact to receive, assess and implement suggestions from members.

5. Number of CPE Points Required

Members in clinical practice must accumulate 20 CPE points per annum, commencing and ending in the financial year.
The general rule is that one hour of activity equates with one CPE point. For example, an all day seminar/workshop involves attendance as well as study of the reading material and has therefore been allocated 10 CPE points.

If a member exceeds 20 CPE points in a year, a maximum of 10 CPE points can be carried over into the next year.

6. CPE and Non-Practising Members

As members may be non-practising for a number of reasons eg maternity leave, recovery from illness, family illness, travelling overseas etc, mandatory CPE is only applicable to members in clinical practice. When a member returns to clinical practice, the member is bound by CPE requirements.

7. CPE Record Keeping

The onus of record keeping is the responsibility of each member. Members will be issued with a CPE Record form, and members are to record their activities with the required proof in the CPE Record. The requirement of proof is an essential factor in the CPE process, and the evidence produced must be reasonably self-evident that the activity was undertaken. Proof of a dubious nature will not be accepted.

The CPE Record is to be kept in a safe place, and upon reasonable request from an appropriate body, the CPE Record must be produced.

The self-responsibility approach is cost-effective and in harmony with the expectations of a professional person.

8. Activities that Qualify for CPE Points

The following activities qualify for CPE points: