CPD Program

The Development of CPD in SA

In the early 1990's it was felt by members of the Executive Committee of ADSA that a formal system for the continuing education and development of dietitians was needed. ADSA's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) system was therefore mandated in March 1994 and since then a great deal of work has gone into developing this system. A voluntary trial took place between May 1995 and December 1998, with the initial CPD cycle running for three years during which dietitians were expected to accrue 30 points. Documentation and a database were developed to facilitate implementation of the system. The majority of ADSA members supported the initiative. This extensive trial period allowed ADSA to gain a great deal of experience and learn many lessons regarding the implementation of a user-friendly CPD system which enhances professional development.

In 1997 the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) published, in the Government Gazette, that "Compliance with certain conditions relating to education and training [is] a prerequisite for continued registration” as a health professional in SA. The CPD system became compulsory for all registered dietitians on 1st September 2001 according to the resolution of the Professional Board for Dietetics in terms of Section 26 of the Health Professions Act (Act No. 56 of 1974).

Click here to view the Health Professions Act.

The first CPD cycle ended on 31 December 2002. All points accrued during the voluntary period (1999, 2000, 2001) were transferred to a maximum of 40 points per year. Unfortunately, some difficulties in the CPD system as a whole were experienced at Council level and more specific for the medical and dental practitioners. In March 2003 a consultant was contracted to evaluate the system and the following solutions were proposed:

• That providers submit their activities to the accreditors for accreditation and are obliged to provide Certificates of Attendance to all attending practitioners at all activities and then submit attendance data with points to Accreditors within a month of the activity 
• The Accreditors are required to electronically submit these points to the HPCSA after verification for correctness 
• The old Period Based System (PBS) will be replaced by a Continuing Points System (CPS), which means that all points accrued will be to the credit of the practitioner for two (2) years from date of the activity attended and will then lapse 
• Practitioners will be able to check the status of their CPD points at any time electronically on the HPCSA website 
• All Professional Boards will be using the same CPD system, using external accreditors. 

In 2004, the HPCSA drafted a standardised CPD system for all professions taking the above into consideration and in 2005 this new system was piloted by 2 boards (Medical Technology and Optometry and Dispensing Opticians). In April 2006 the Professional Board for Dietetics implemented the transitional phase of this new system and the new CPD system was implemented from Jan 2007.

What is CPD?

The cornerstone of any profession is the continuous pursuit of knowledge and skills. CPD is the education and training directly related to dietetics/nutrition, which is undertaken beyond the academic requirements for entry into the profession of dietetics. It includes one or more of the areas within the scope of dietetic practice, namely therapeutic nutrition, community nutrition and food service administration and management. CPD, therefore, refers to any activity where the individual has learned something new and/or where a new skill has been acquired.

CPD is important in maintaining and enhancing the image of dietitians as professionals who are credible, responsible and accountable for maintaining high standards of professional practice. It offers members opportunities to move from their present level of practice to a higher level of practice through planned professional growth.

What is the link between HPCSA, ADSA and the CPD Accreditation Office?

The CPD system is administered by the Professional Board for Dietetics under the jurisdiction of the HPCSA. However, the responsibility to accredit and review CPD activities according to specific criteria and guidelines has been delegated to the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA) (i.e. the Accreditor). The Accreditor has a CPD Accreditation committee reporting directly to the Educational committee of the Professional Board.

Members of this committee are:

• Mrs Carine Davies and Mrs Karen Horsburgh (CPD Accreditation officers) 
• Mrs Debbi Marais (ADSA CPD Portfolio holder) 
• Gladys Nthangeni (Professional Board for Dietetics) 

Click here to view a diagram.

Role of the HPCSA CPD division of Registrations department

• Administers and monitors entire CPD process 
• Compliance checks of professionals’ CPD point status 
  - Annually 
  - Randomly selected sample 

Role of the HPCSA CPD committee

• Develop policy for CPD 
• Random quality assurance checks of Accreditors 
• Scale of fees/fees (+ NAF) 
• Deferment, non-compliance and restoration 
• Representation by Prof Boards (Roy Kennedy) 
• Accountable to HPCSA 

Role of the National Accreditors Forum (NAF)

• Advise HPCSA CPD committee 
• Problems and critical incidents 
• Policy matters regarding HPCSA CPD system 
• Standardisation of accreditation activities 
• Scale of fees Peer review of other
• Accreditors 
• Representation by Accreditor (ADSA – D Marais) 

Role of the Professional Board for Dietetics in CPD

• Appoint and approve Accreditors 
• Quality assurance 
• Consultation by CPD committee regarding deferment, non-compliance and restoration 

THE ROLE OF THE ACCREDITOR

In the old system the Accreditor was responsible for accreditation of ALL activities, capturing of points from attendance registers and individual activities, financial management (CPD admin fee) and providing dietitians with an annual point status update. In the new CPD system, this role has changed:

1. ANNUAL accreditation of Accredited Service Providers

• Receive application forms (Form CPD2) + fees
• Refer to CPD Accreditation committee for approval
• Allocate dedicated ID number per provider

2. AD HOC accreditation of activities

• Receive individual’s (Form CPD2B) & non-accredited Service Providers ONCE-OFF application forms
• (Form CPD2A) + fees
• Refer to CPD Accreditation committee for approval if necessary
• Allocate activity number
• Monitor activities on a random basis
• Revise CEUs allocated (Service Provider failed to comply)

3. Record-keeping for 3 years of:

• Accredited Service Providers & activities (non-accredited providers / individual applications)
• Reports of Accredited Service Provider activities
• Minutes of CPD Accreditation committee meetings

4. Regular communication with Providers and Dietitians regarding CPD

5. Suggestions to NAF and the HPCSA CPD Committee

THE ROLE OF THE SERVICE PROVIDERS

In the old system, the responsibilities of the Provider were to apply for accreditation beforehand, advertise and offer the activity, keep an attendance register and forward this to the CPD Officer as well as issuing attendance certificates. In the new system some of the responsibility of accreditation has been delegated to CERTAIN SERVICE PROVIDERS.

WHO ARE ACCREDITED SERVICE PROVIDERS WITH ADSA for 2008? 

Functions of the Accredited Service Providers

1. Apply annually to ADSA Accreditation Office (Form CPD2) + pay fee

2. Activities provided on one of 3 levels:

• Receive application forms + fees if relevant
• Accredit and allocate CEUs & activity number
• Advertise
• Provide activity
• Monitor attendance
• Issue attendance certificates, including presenter’s certificates, if applicable
• Provide records of activities to Accreditor + HPCSA and keep for 3 years:
  
  1. Name and number of Accredited Service Provider
  2. Topic
  3. Level and no of CEUs
  4. Dates (start-finish) presented
  5. Attendance record (names and HPCSA numbers) of attendees
  6. Program

Which activities get approved??

• Ethically acceptable 
• Of educational value 
• Provides a balanced view 
• Not unduly promotional / Free of undesired commercial influence 
• Avoid conflict of interest (financial gain by Accreditor/Provider) 

THE ROLE OF THE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

In the old system, the responsibilities of the dietitian were to attend activities, sign the attendance register and if necessary, apply for individual activities or cross-accreditation. In the new system, which is based on TRUST, the responsibility has shifted to the individual regarding keeping track of your CPD status.

• Accrue 30 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) per year, which have a shelf life of (Valid for) 24 months from the date that the activity took place / ended ie. you are required to have 60 CEUs at any given time over a period of 24 months 
• CPD activity record (Form CPD 1) + Attendance certificates for each event (Levels 1 & 2) / Certified copies of qualification (Level 3) must be kept and needs to be submitted to HPCSA within 21 working days ONLY IF you are audited 
• Give feedback to Accreditor regarding Providers 

Click here for an overview.

LEVEL 1

• No measurable outcome 
• 1 CEU = 1 hour (MAX 8 / day) 
• Small groups eg. Breakfast meetings, departmental meetings and lectures
• Large groups eg. Conference, symposia, short course, lecture 
• Accreditation - Provider to provide attendance certificate unless International (Form CPD 2A) 

LEVEL 2

Publications

• Principle author 15 CEUs
• Co-author 5 CEUs Review 3 CEUs
• Accreditation - Provider to provide attendance certificate unless International (copy of article sufficient if peer-reviewed journal)

Presentations (all authors)

• Presenters/authors of a paper/poster 10 CEUs
• Co-presenters/co-authors of a paper/poster 5 CEUs
• Presenter of short course/interactive skills workshop 10 CEUs
• Co-presenters of short course 5 CEUs
• Guest/occasional lecturer at an accredited institution 3 CEUs
• Accreditation - complete Form CPD 2A

MCQ’s pass rate 70% 3 CEUs

• Accreditation - Provider to provide attendance certificate

Students

• Supervising undergrad/interns/postgraduate students 2 CEUs/student (MAX 16/year)
• External examiner M/PhD theses on completion 5 CEUs
• Accreditation - Provider to provide attendance certificate

Ethics

• Dedicated workshops/lectures/seminars 2 CEUs/hour
• Accreditation - Provider to provide attendance certificate unless International (Form CPD 2A)

Single modules of Masters degree (part-time enrolment) 5 CEUs

• Accreditation - Provider to provide attendance certificate

Professional Interest Groups, e.g., Journal Clubs

• Regular program, Min 6 meetings/year, MAX 3 CEUs per meeting
• Accreditation - Provider to provide attendance certificate

LEVEL 3

Structured learning / formal program - 30 CEUs

Postgrad degrees/diplomas recognised as additional qualifications by Prof Board

• Accreditation - Provider to provide attendance certificate

Short courses >25 hours direct contact time + clinical hands on training + formal assessment

• Accreditation - Provider to provide attendance certificate

Learning portfolios

• Accreditation - Form CPD 2A

Practice audit

• Accreditation - Form CPD 2A

Activities that do NOT qualify for CEUs

• Time spent planning, organising or facilitating any activity
• Published congress proceedings
• Non-referenced letters to the editor of accredited journals
• Daily ward rounds
• Written assignments
• Compilation of student training manuals for internal use
• Staff and/or administrative meetings
• Tours and/or viewing of exhibits and technological demonstrations
• Membership of professional bodies/boards or holding of portfolios on executive or council structure
• Presentations and publications to the public
• Activities that form part of your daily working activities

What about COM SERV and PRACTITIONERS ABROAD?

• CPD is NOT compulsory during Community Service year BUT they may accrue CEUs
• Practitioners abroad should apply for deferment (contact Mrs B van Stade - BarbaravS@hpcsa.co.za), then comply in countries where a CPD system is in place and retain documentary proof of attendance at CPD activities For re-registration documentary proof from the accrediting authority in the country concerned.

CPD Documentation

These guidelines are updated annually and are available here [link to guidelines]. The application forms are also available electronically:

• Application for accreditation as an Accredited Service Provider [CPD2 form]
• Application for accreditation of a once-off activity by a Service Provider [CPD2A form]
• Application for accreditation for individual’s activities [CPD2A form]

Records must be kept by individuals using the CPD1 form and copies of all certificates of attendance [Example of certificate]

ADSA CPD Contacts: