SKILLS & LEARNING
CPD: CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN Priya Tew Freelance Dietitian and Specialist in Eating Disorders Priya runs Dietitian UK, a freelance dietetic service that specialises in social media and media work, consultancy for food companies, eating disorder support, IBS and Chronic Fatigue. She works with NHS services, The Priory Hospital group and private clinics as well as providing Skype support to clients nationwide.
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Continuing professional development (CPD) is something we all need to stay abreast of, but it is also something that can feel a little overwhelming. I don’t think it has to be as complicated as we sometimes make it out to be . . . As dietitians, we are always interested in the latest research, looking things up and talking to others about nutritional issues. All of these are CPD. So, I think, actually, most of us will find that we do our CPD all the time, but just don’t always formalise it. I know I can be guilty of that. It is important to maintain our CPD portfolio, whether this is in paper format, a spreadsheet, or a more formalised system. Record all your CPD sessions, mentoring sessions, research, creations and projects. Whilst it can feel overwhelming to know that you may be selected for audit, you actually don’t need to have vast amounts recorded. Just a few items a month is enough. It is the act of recognising and recording it as CPD that can get missed. Some software you can use for recording includes: www.cpd-online.com/content/ dietitian-cpd-professional-development and the BDA Continuing Professional Development Toolkit: www.bda.uk.com/ training/cpd/home. In my NHS work, I had to fight for funding to go on courses. Then going freelance, I initially thought that this would be even harder. Now that I am my own boss, however, I get to choose what my CPD budget is and what to spend it on. There are also so many free options out there now. Here are some CPD ideas that I’ve pulled together for inspiration. What I would encourage you to do is to share any good CPD resources you find. Tweet them, share them in a group - because we all need to stay abreast of
www.NHDmag.com November 2018 - Issue 139
new research and be on top of our CPD, so why not do it as a community? TRADITIONAL WAYS TO KEEP UP WITH CPD
• Attending study days, professional lectures and seminars. • Reflective practice about a project or clinical work. • Formal courses and further education. • Subscribing to dietetics journals and free magazines such as NHD. • Updating product information, diet sheets and any handouts you use regularly. • Accessing medical and nutritional reps to get updates on the latest products. • Reviewing medical and professional journals regularly. • Becoming part of a council or specialist interest group. • Downloading and filling in CPD eArticles provided by NHD. • Talks you have given to others. • Presenting at conferences/study days. • Finding a mentor and holding regular clinical supervision sessions. • Accessing free study days - try the nutrition reps.