Peer Group Attendance (for CPD purposes)

The Osteopathic Council acknowledges the feedback it has received from many members of the profession regarding this topic.  Some explanatory notes are provided below to clarify the Council's expectations.

Peer group meetings must have at least four members. 

It is important that information is shared between prctitioners working in different practices so a group of practitioners working in the same practice is not considered to be a peer group.  In urban areas it is expected that the peer groups will be consist of osteopaths, however in rural or isolated areas there may not be 3 other osteopaths.  In this case it will be acceptable if the peer group contains other like-minded health practitioners, i.e. chiropractor, physiotherapist, general medical practitioner etc.

Peer group meetings qualify as Category Two CPD.

This is the general rule but is not absolute.  Peer group meetings of a purely social nature do not qualify for CPD credits (because they cannot be linked to a skill on the competency framework).  If the meeting's focus is educative the meeting will qualify for category two CPD.  Peer group leaders can also apply to the Council for their meetings to be Category One if these meetings are formal, fulfil the requirements set for Category One CPD and are approved by the Osteopathic Council.

Allocation of credits to peer group meetings

Qualifying peer group attendance will be eligible for CPD credit at the rate of one credit per hour.  However, it could fall into either Category One or Category Two.  The difference is that Category One CPD can be carried-over and Category Two CPD cannot.

Recording

Peer group leaders should keep a record of the date and length of each meeting, the Category, the names of those attending, the topic studied and the desired outcomes.  From this record each attendee can be given a certificate at the end of the year containing these details.  The attendee can then send this certificate to the Council as verification of peer group attendance.  One certificate (per person) can cover the whole years attendance if desired.

All practitioners are required to keep a portfolio of all course/seminars etc. attended, with proof of attendance.