As a medical professional, selecting the right CPD Home is crucial. In Australia, doctors typically choose between non-college CPD homes, such as CPD Australia, and traditional college CPD homes. Each has distinct advantages and considerations.
Non-College CPD Homes: Cost-Effective and Flexible
Advantages:
- Affordability: Non-college CPD homes typically offer lower fees, making them a cost-effective solution for fulfilling CPD requirements.
- Flexibility: Typically offer online courses and self-paced learning, catering to busy schedules.
- Innovative Approach: With a focus on modern delivery methods, non-college CPD homes provide up-to-date, engaging content.
- Streamlined Processes: Non-college providers like CPD Australia simplify administrative tasks, offering a seamless user experience.
Considerations:
- Recognition: While growing in reputation, non-college CPD homes are not as established as the older medical colleges.
- Networking: Opportunities for professional networking and in-person events may be fewer compared to college CPD homes.
College CPD Homes: Established but Expensive
Advantages:
- Prestige: Colleges are well-regarded within the medical community, enhancing professional credibility.
- Networking: College CPD homes provide valuable networking opportunities through conferences and events.
Considerations:
- Cost: College CPD homes are generally more expensive, which may not align with every doctor’s budget.
- Inflexibility: Rigid schedules and requirements can make it difficult for busy professionals to engage fully.
- Administrative Burden: The processes can be more complex and time-consuming.
Which Should You Choose?
The decision depends on your priorities:
- For affordability, flexibility, and a modern approach, non-college CPD homes like CPD Australia are the ideal choice to streamline the CPD process, providing value without unnecessary costs.
- For those seeking prestige and in-person professional networking, college CPD homes may be more suitable.
What Are My Options ?
The Australian Medical Council (AMC) has accredited 21 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Homes for doctors to choose from. These include all five non-college CPD Homes and the medical colleges. Note that certain CPD Homes have restrictions on who is accepted. Below is an overview of these CPD Homes:
1) Non-College CPD Homes
CPD Australia - open to:
HETI - open to:
- NSW-based Junior Medical Officer (JMO) doctors who are not on an accredited training pathway
Skin Cancer College Australasia - open to:
- Doctors who have an interest in skin cancer medicine
Osler - open to:
AMA CPD Home (Doctorportal Learning) - open to:
2) Specialist Medical Colleges
Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD) - open to:
- ACD Fellows, Specialist dermatologists who are not fellows of ACD, Other doctors who have an interest in dermatology
Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) - open to:
- ACEM members, including fellows, diplomates, advanced diplomates, certificants, educational affiliates, Non-members of ACEM
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) - open to:
- ACRRM fellows, Specialist general practitioners, Rural generalists, Senior medical officers, Other doctors
Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP) - open to:
- Specialist sport and exercise medicine physicians, Doctors with a demonstrated connection to, and ongoing interest in, the field of sport and exercise medicine
Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) - open to:
- ANZCA fellows, Doctors whose scope of practice includes anaesthesia and/or pain medicine
College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (CICM) - open to:
- CICM fellows, Doctors with an interest in intensive care medicine
Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) - open to:
- Specialist oral maxillofacial surgeons
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) - open to:
- RACGP members and Fellows, Specialist general practitioners, Practitioners with general registration working in general practice, Rural generalists, Senior medical officers, Other doctors, including those with an interest in general practice or an aligned field and scope of practice
Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA) - open to:
- RACMA fellows, Associate fellows with general registration, Non-members of RACMA who work predominately in medical administration
Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) - open to:
- RACP fellows, Doctors practising in an RACP specialty area (regardless of registration type)
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) - open to:
- RACS fellows, Non-specialist PGY3+ doctors who practice in a surgically affiliated scope (i.e., surgical assistants, those aspiring to become surgical trainees, proceduralists)
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) - open to:
- RANZCO fellows, Specialist ophthalmologists
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) - open to:
- RANZCOG fellows, Doctors who are providing unsupervised specialist women’s health services, Doctors registered in Australia with an interest in women’s health, RANZCOG prevocational affiliates
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) - open to:
- RANZCP fellows, Specialist psychiatrists, Doctors who are not members of RANZCP
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) - open to:
- RANZCR fellows, Doctors with specialist registrations, Doctors who are interested in a career in clinical radiology/radiation oncology
Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) - open to:
- RCPA fellows and associate members, Specialist pathologists
The choice between non-college and college CPD homes depends on your professional goals, budget, and preferences. Non-college CPD homes like CPD Australia provide a flexible, affordable, and streamlined approach to fulfilling CPD requirements, while college CPD homes offer established prestige at a higher cost. By understanding the key differences, you can make an informed decision that best suits your needs and ensures you meet your professional development goals efficiently.
