“The moment when everything changed. Or did it?”

1 January 2022. That point in time when we all adopted the brace position and heralded the arrival of Continuing Professional Development (CPD); bidding farewell to Continuing Education and Training (CET), warts and all, forever. The moment when everything changed. Or did it?

The welcoming of CPD

As a practitioner of a ‘certain age,’ I must confess that when the new CPD cycle first came into existence, I let it be known to all who were prepared to listen (and plenty that weren’t) that I was pretty content with the way things were, thank you very much. But, as we enter the final throes of the first run through the new scheme, upon reflection, did anything actually change?

Certainly, when I first navigated to the ‘MyGOC, MyCPD’ dashboard almost three years ago, it seemed to have undergone a quick rub down and fresh lick of paint rather than a Grand Designs-style demolition and rebuild. Oh, the relief. Yup, still a requirement to target a minimum of 36 points and put myself into interact mode for at least 18 of them. And of course, a good old clinical chinwag with my chums to fulfil the peer review requirement. So far, so good.

And the news got better. The list of boxes to tick had been cropped somewhat as we waved goodbye to the complex cocktail of CET competencies (17 of them if you’d earnt yourself the independent prescribing badge). Now just four core domains to meet. A mistake, surely? Apparently not – bring out the celebratory biscuits Bernard.

In with the new

Now, the Personal development plan (PDP) that had been hovering around like an awkward uncle at a wedding during the last cycle but hadn’t really made its full presence felt. Well, it seemed that the PDP would be taking centre stage this time around, with registrants instructed to reflect on their scope of practice at an early stage of the cycle. The aim of the PDP is for practitioners to determine areas of learning that are most meaningful for their current and future practice, rather than an indiscriminate scramble to hit the CPD points tally. While the PDP is intended to be completed at the front end of the cycle, it remains relevant throughout the three years with registrants expected to periodically review and amend as and when their learning needs evolve.

Although in many ways the changes to the CPD scheme are pretty much like business as usual, the General Optical Council (GOC) did have one little surprise in store for us all – a mandatory requirement to complete a Reflective exercise with a peer.

While I found the prospect of this new component a little daunting, it was actually straightforward enough; vaguely enjoyable even. First, I had to dig out my trusty PDP, identify a ‘suitable’ peer (not a bestie, close relative, or an employee) and then have a chat about my learning outcomes. Had I achieved them? How had they affected my practice?

Reflecting on key milestones that may have led to a change in direction, while also taking a forward glance to consider CPD aspirations for the next cycle, were also key elements of the discussion. If you haven’t completed your Reflective exercise yet and struggling to get your noggin around the process, then take a look at OT’s helpful explainer video.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking to mop up those last few points, or hit an elusive domain, then there are opportunities aplenty via OT – well, until the clock strikes midnight on 29 December 2024 in any case. And, if you find yourself in need of a peer review in the closing days of the cycle, then a registrant-led approach might be the best option. The AOP has produced a handy resource to help guide you through this process.

Finally, before squawky renditions of Auld Lang Syne ring out up and down the land, then take a look at OT’s CPD checklist below to ensure that old acquaintance with the GOC is not forgot ahead of the next cycle.