The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7355 p789
25 June 2005

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· Reciprocity (2)
· CPD
· Prescribing
· New Pharmacy contract
· Birdsgrove House
· The Society

Letters to the Editor

Continuing professional development (CPD)

It is necessary

From Mr S. Matousek, MRPharmS

I must agree with Perry Melnick (PJ, 18 June, p759). It does seem a touch arrogant and condescending of the Society to tell us that we must undertake continuing professional development and record it in a particular format. We are all supposed to be autonomous professional people. However, after a moment’s thought, it is clear to me that it is actually necessary to have a CPD requirement in today’s political climate, and to have a standard format (imagine the work and cost of sorting through thousands upon thousands of entries in all different formats!).

I believe the problem lies in the perception of the Society’s role in CPD (perhaps in part due to the way the Society promotes it). It seems that many members perceive it to be one of policing, investigation and discipline, whereas I believe it should appear as one of help and support. The message ought to be that the Society is there to help and support its members with learning and development, and documentation and accountability, to maintain professional standards. The requirement that all members participate is to help maintain standards over the whole profession, which is also helping and supporting members.

Let us work together rather than antagonistically. None of us likes to have to do all of this recording but unfortunately it is necessary in today’s climate.

Stuart Matousek
Glasgow

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