UK vets completing twice as much required CPD – Survey

Posted by on Nov 7, 2016 in latest news, Uncategorized | No Comments

Motivated UK vets are performing twice as much CPD per year as legally required to by the RCVS, according to a pan-European survey.

London-based CM Research questioned 2,205 practising vets in 11 countries about their CPD habits and found, on average, UK vets completed 72 hours of CPD per year – more than twice as much as the 35 hours per year (105 hours over three years) RCVS requirement.

This figure was higher than the 50 hours the Royal College of Physicians requires each year for doctors in human health, the authors stated.

It is also higher compared to vets in many other countries, including France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and the US.

Recognising value

Responding to the survey, RCVS president Chris Tufnell said: “We have long recognised the majority of veterinary surgeons in the UK do more than the minimum we require of them regarding CPD, but this research seems to suggest most are doing far more, which is great to see.

“It demonstrates the majority of veterinary surgeons recognise the value of CPD in improving their knowledge and skills, and how this, ultimately, is reflected in the service they provide for patients and clients, as opposed to seeing it as a chore or tick-box exercise.”

Six hours a month

In the survey, vets across the 11 countries estimated, on average, they spent six hours a month on CPD, specialisation courses, lectures and other educational methods aimed at updating their professional knowledge.

The highest CPD figures were claimed by Spanish vets. In answer to the survey, they said they spent the equivalent of nearly two working days a month on improving and updating their skills.

The survey also asked how CPD was funded. Typically, in the UK, CPD is for paid by the practice. However, 38% of UK vets fully, or partially, funded annual CPD themselves.

Source: Vet Times, October 14,2016