Handover: The Learning You’re Already Doing
Clinical handover isn’t just about logistics. It’s one of the richest learning moments in medicine—you hear how colleagues framed problems, why they chose different pathways, and what they’d do next. That comparison of reasoning is exactly what the CPD framework calls Reviewing Performance → Peer Review.
Why handover counts as CPD
Handover is a proven educational setting. A 2023 study (1) of within-unit paediatric handovers showed handover is a “powerful workplace learning event,” with explicit gains in clinical reasoning, teamwork, professional behaviour and patient care—driven by case discussions and safe, open dialogue.
Many hospital-based doctors handover frequently. Documenting your handover learnings can rapidly help you tick off your Reviewing Performance target
How to make it count
Go in with a learning lens: Pick 1–2 patients where you’d value a second opinion. Note what you did and why.
Ask targeted questions: “What would change if eGFR were 30?” or “When would you escalate to ICU?” spark high-yield reasoning, not long stories.
Capture outcomes immediately: Spend 1–2 minutes in Osler logging what you learned, what you’ll change, and how you’ll check it worked. Record it as Reviewing Performance → Peer Review. Logging your CPD straight away can reinforce the learning you take from these opportunities
Stay audit-ready
Claim only the learning you genuinely did. A 30-minute handover with 1–2 substantive insights should attract about 0.25 RP hours. Importantly, keep your Learning Outcomes detailed enough to justify the time—thin notes risk audit headaches. This is, of course, the whole point of CPD
Bottom line: You already spend time handing over. Treat it as built-in CPD: compare care, invite feedback, jot down what you’ll change. It’s efficient, defensible—and makes your next patient safer.