Starting out with Osler as a GP
So you want to make the switch and start using Osler as your CPD Home. But how do you get started? This article will outline the ways you can get going.
As a General Practitioner (GP), fulfilling your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With Osler, the process is simplified, flexible, and tailored to meet your needs. Whether you’re new to Osler or just looking for a smoother way to manage your CPD, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started.
Understanding Your CPD Requirements
In Australia, all registered doctors must complete 50 hours of CPD annually, but the specific categories and time requirements can sometimes feel complex. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need:
A Plan for your CPD for the current calendar year
Educational Activities: You need to complete at least 12.5 hours, with a maximum of 25 hours counting toward your total.
Reviewing Performance (RP) & Measuring Outcomes (MO): These two categories require a combined total of at least 25 hours but no more than 37.5 hours.
Any additional requirements specified by your CPD Home (known as Program Level Requirements)
Any additional requirements set by the Medical Board of Australia based on your specialty registration (known as Specialty Level Requirements)
Reviewing Performance focuses on how you deliver care to your patients, while Measuring Outcomes evaluates the results of that care. Osler offers a variety of activities that will help you meet both requirements in a way that fits into your busy schedule.
You can read more about the requirements here(opens in a new tab)
Making the switch
If you're just starting the new CPD year, it's very easy - just start recording your activities into Osler like before. For a guide on how to get started, see here(opens in a new tab)
If you are switching part way through the CPD Year you'll likely have activities you need to transfer. This will only take a few minutes to do - here's a guide(opens in a new tab)
Start with your plan
Having a map for your learning makes it much easier (it's also a mandatory requirement for the medical board!). While you're welcome to do your own thing, if you need help, check out this great webinar(opens in a new tab) on the subject. You can download the worksheet used in the webinar here(opens in a new tab).
Starting activities
Where do you start looking for activities?
There's no restriction on where you source your activities from. At Osler, we believe the best person to decide where you focus your attention is you.
With Osler, you have access to thousands of activities that you can explore at your convenience. From modules and articles to webinars and quality assurance projects, there’s no shortage of learning opportunities. These activities can be easily added by clicking the Add to CPD button when you complete the activity.
But you’re not limited to Osler content alone. If you participate in other educational activities outside Osler (such as from MedCast or HealthEd), you can still include them in your CPD diary. To add these activities, go to your homepage, click NEW and then select CPD. Enter the details, upload supporting documents and save - it's that easy.
Osler’s intuitive platform makes it easy to track your progress. Simply log in, browse or search for relevant activities, and add them to your CPD diary. As you complete activities, they are automatically recorded, so you don’t have to worry about manually updating your records. You can monitor your progress on your CPD Home dashboard.
Meeting Your Targets with Osler’s Content
To meet your Reviewing Performance and Measuring Outcomes requirements, Osler offers a wide range of activities. Here are a few examples of what you can do:
Reviewing Performance Activities:
Complete your Personal Career Development Plan (3 hours).
Reflect on your practice with Self Reflections (0.5 hours each).
Get feedback from peers using Osler’s Feedback Pack(opens in a new tab) (up 5 hours).
Measuring Outcomes Activities:
Log an interesting patient per week (0.1 hours each).
Participate in Osler Case Review webinars (1.5 hours per session).
Conduct a Quality Assurance Project in your practice, such as implementing hand hygiene protocols or improving smoking cessation support.
For additional hours, consider activities like auditing patients(opens in a new tab) or attending industry conferences such as the Australian Skin Cancer Congress.
Personalising Your CPD Plan
Everyone’s practice and learning style are different, and Osler gives you the flexibility to tailor your CPD activities to your specific needs. For instance, you can set aside 30 minutes each month for practice-based learning, or spend 15 minutes per week on general reading like journal articles or textbooks.
Scratch Notes (0.1hours per note) are another great way to capture your learning from case discussions or referrals, helping you reflect on and solidify your knowledge. This acts as a repository of all those pearls of wisdom you collect just doing your job, and reflect the constant learning we all do every day. Find out more here(opens in a new tab)
Focusing on Core Elements of Practice
Osler also ensures that your CPD aligns with the Medical Board of Australia’s (MBA) Code of Conduct. You’ll need to incorporate activities related to four core elements: Ethical Practice, Professionalism, Addressing Health Inequity, and Cultural Safety.
For each core element, Osler has curated a selection of pre-approved content. For example:
Ethical Practice: You can explore articles like Compassion Fatigue (0.5 hours) or podcasts such as Complex Decision Making (0.25 hours).
Professionalism: Consider activities like Leadership and Followership in Healthcare (0.5 hours).
Addressing Health Inequity: Tackling Health Inequity (0.5 hours) is an ideal read.
Cultural Safety: Engage with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competence Course for a deeper understanding (variable hours).
By incorporating these core elements into your CPD plan, you ensure that your development is not only compliant but also enriches your practice in an ethical and culturally competent way.
Specialty Requirements for GPs
As a GP, you have additional specialty-specific CPD requirements beyond what’s required for all doctors, namely, a Basic Life Support (BLS) course is required every three years, which you can easily complete through through external platforms like MedCast(opens in a new tab) or My CPR Now(opens in a new tab).
Where do I go for help?
If you know what you want to do for your CPD - great!
But sometimes we need a little help knowing what we should do. So where can you turn?
If you need help developing your plan, we've suggested one for you here.(opens in a new tab)
You can also ask the AI coach for ideas. Ask it anything you like, from what content on Osler can I use for Reviewing Performance hours, to suggestions for an Audit topic.
If you're still struggling, there are a range of articles about CPD here(opens in a new tab), and you can always contact us for support if require (click on the Contact Us button at the bottom of your homepage on web, or in My Account on mobile app).
Get Started Today
With all the tools and resources available on Osler, getting started with your CPD journey is simple and efficient. To begin, just:
Log into your Osler account.
Browse the extensive library of content or use the search bar to find activities that suit your interests and CPD requirements.
Add activities to your CPD diary, and let Osler handle the rest.
As you complete activities, Osler automatically records your hours and ensures that you’re staying on track toward meeting your CPD targets. It’s that easy.
With Osler, CPD is not just a requirement—it’s an opportunity to grow in your practice, stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of medicine, and ultimately, provide the best care for your patients.
This friendly and approachable guide aims to ensure that General Practitioners feel confident and supported as they begin their CPD journey with Osler. The goal is to make the process as seamless and helpful as possible while emphasising flexibility and personalised learning.