The Medical Board of Australia’s continuing education revolution has officially begun, with the first CPD ‘homes’ already approved and new minimum requirements now in place for all doctors.

It means that as of this year, specialists can begin signing up to CPD homes, which will be accredited bodies for coordinating continuing education and record keeping.

So far, the Australian Medical Council (AMC) has greenlit just one organisation: DoctorPortal Learning owned by the AMA’s WA branch.

To begin operation later in 2023, the CPD home will be open to specialists across the country, as well as any PGY2+ doctors including IMGs and non-VR registered doctors.

“Our intent is for all non-exempt medical practitioners, regardless of AMA membership, to be eligible to subscribe, with AMA members enjoying the benefit of discounted rates,” it says.

In addition, all existing specialist colleges including the RACP and ACD are automatically gaining CPD home approval.

But the AMC says opportunities remain open for other organisations – including specialist societies if they wish – to apply for CPD home recognition, although applications must be submitted before August to gain approval this year.

In addition to paying an application fee of $6500, prospective CPD homes will have to meet requirements around the robustness of the educational programs on offer and systems for record keeping.

It comes after the Medical Board revealed that while its new CPD standard would officially come into effect on 1 January 2023, doctors who were not current college members would be offered a 12-month grace period to adjust.

This meant non-college members would not be required to join a CPD home until January 2024, it said.

They will also be allowed to continue self-directed CPD, based on the old requirements, until the end of the year.

Otherwise, all doctors will be required to create an annual ‘professional development plan’ from this year, and document at least 50 hours of CPD activities annually.

This must comprise at least:

• 25 hours ‘reviewing performance and measuring outcomes’
• 12.5 hours traditional learning or education activities such as reading or attending lectures and conferences
• 12.5 hours ‘free choice’ activities, to be allocated by the doctor or their college