RCVS updates 1CPD platform to support reflection

Today [Tuesday 24 October] the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has updated its 1CPD platform to allow users to clearly track how many hours of continuing professional development (CPD) they have recorded and reflected on.

CPD is a professional responsibility and requirement for all practising veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses on the RCVS Register. The annual CPD targets are 35 hours for veterinary surgeons and 15 hours for veterinary nurses which support the need for every veterinary surgeon and veterinary nurse to undertake regular and relevant CPD. It is compulsory for all registered veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to reflect on their learning and use the 1CPD platform to manage their CPD.

The 1CPD homepage now displays two progress bars: one to track the number of CPD hours currently achieved and recorded, and another to show how many hours have been reflected on. Once the number of required CPD hours has been recorded and reflected on, a message will appear to notify the user that they are CPD compliant. If the requirements have not been met and the required number of hours has not been recorded or reflected on, this will show as non-compliant.

The incoming changes will not affect the pre-existing recorded CPD activities of users. All previously inputted recorded activities and reflections will remain in the system.

Jenny Soreskog-Turp, RCVS Lead for Postgraduate Education, said: “We hope that the changes to the 1CPD platform will allow people to track their CPD more easily. A key element in outcomes-focused CPD includes reflecting on what you have learned as this is known to have a positive impact on both personal professionalism and patient-health outcomes.

“It should be noted that any CPD you have already undertaken for this year but have not yet reflected on will still remain in the system. However, in order to be compliant for 2023, you must reflect on every CPD activity completed. If you have completed your hours but have not reflected, this will show as non-compliant. In order to make those hours count, you simply need to go back and add your reflections. This doesn’t have to be a long and onerous task – uploading audio notes, adding an attachment, or writing a few notes stating what you learnt and how you will use this newly acquired knowledge moving forward will all suffice.”

For more information on CPD and the 1CPD app, please visit www.rcvs.org.uk/cpd.