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The need for CPD
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| The need for CPD | |
1. Why the need for CPD? |
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| 2. Why not wait till we get registered before implementing the
CPD system? A: This is a chicken and egg issue. Which comes first? One of the aims of implementing the CPD is to prepare for professional registration. The association needs to put in place a well run system in order ensure that members are continually upgrading our skills and maintaining professional standards, only then will the profession be considered for registration. Therefore, we need the support of all physiotherapists, especially those working in Singapore. |
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| 3. Without registration, the association has no “teeth”, how is
SPA going to enforce CPD compliance?
A: Without professional registration, SPA recognises it does not have the legal means to enforce CPD compliance. The SPA council has however obtained the support of the various institutions’ head of department (HOD). The HODs will assist the SPA in enforcing CPD compliance of their staff. This will cover a large proportion of physiotherapists working in Singapore. SPA will then monitor the private practitioners. |
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| 4. Does CPD hinder physiotherapists from becoming members?
A: The CPD initiative should be seen in the correct context. It is an avenue to assist members to monitor their learning. Past data stored will be archived, so that over the years, members could refer to them. The CPD is not a system to penalise members. All physiotherapists, who are actively learning and upgrading themselves now, should have no problems fulfilling their CPD requirements at all. There is no reason why this should hinder potential members from joining the association. |
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| 5. Only SPA members are subjected to CPD, is it being unfair to
members?
A: See answer above |
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| 6. I am afraid I will not obtain sufficient points over the two
years.
A: The CPD system is broad based. It encompasses a wide spectrum of training categories which will cater to the needs of different physiotherapists. Even if a PT is busy and cannot attend formal courses, the options for e-learning and self reading are also available. The objective of CPD is not to penalise members but rather assist members in monitoring their learning over the years. As long as members are regular and conscientious in their learning and professional upgrading, the point requirement is not difficult to achieve. It is in fact easier to achieve these points as compared to other professional associations, both locally and internationally. |
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| 7. What if I do not obtain sufficient points?
A: Given the relative ease in fulfilling the CPD points requirement, SPA may choose to take action against members who do not meet them consistently. The most serious of which will be termination of membership. However, in most cases, the various institutions’ Heads of department will take on the responsibility of enforcing the CPD compliance. SPA will advise the HOD but the action will be left to the discretion of the head. This could take the form of performance appraisals or warning letters. However, all PTs are encouraged to fulfill the points requirement. It will also reflect poorly on the PT’s attitude when he/she consistently fails to meet the requirement. |
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| Special cases for CPD exemption | |
| 8. What if I am out of the country for an extended period?
A: Your CPD points will be pro rated accordingly. You will have to be away from Singapore for at least 6 months continuous in the two year period. (This means that you will not be exempted even if you are away for 7 months, each of one month duration). Please inform the association in writing or via email at the earliest possible date. Documentary proof is required. |
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| 9. What if I am on long term medical leave?
A: You will have to be away from work for at least 6 months continuous, to have your CPD points pro rated. |
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| 10. How are the points pro rated if I am
pregnant?
You will be given an exemption of one term. The date of delivery into which the CPD period falls into is called the “delivery term”. The exempted term could thus be preceding, during or subsequent to this “Delivery term”. Eg delivery in 2006-08 term, the choice of CPD exemption could be either the 2004-6, 2006-2008 or 2008-10 term, to be decided by the member. Exemption could be applied on the web, core category 16. |
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| 11. What if I am not working in Singapore?
A: Please write a letter to SPA to notify us. You will be exempted from CPD. You could however still make use of the system to monitor your own learning progress. |
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| 12. What if I am in full time studies?
A: If you are in full time studies leading to a recognised Physiotherapy or medically related qualification (diploma, basic degree, post graduate degree), you will be exempted from CPD requirement for the duration of the course. |
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| 13. What if I am taking a part-time course (eg from NYP,
leading to a post graduate diploma)?
A: Enrolment in part time courses do not allow the member to be exempted from the CPD requirements like full time students. This is because part time courses can often span a long period and members can often decide on the number of modules they would like to enrol in each semester. This flexibility complicates the CPD monitoring. As such, SPA will award the points based on the modules enrolled. The award of CPD points will be on a case-by-case basis but SPA will try to ensure that the points awarded will commensurate and pro rate with a similar student on full time study. Points will only be credited upon the completion of each module, Core category 16. Write in to SPA for an assessment of the points to be awarded. |
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| 14. Any other reasons for CPD exemption?
A: Currently, unless you are in full time physiotherapy study, not working in Singapore, long term medical leave or pregnant, you will not be granted exemption. Other reasons have to be considered on a case-by-case basis. SPA will work closely with members on these issues. |
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| 15. I am not practicing as a physiotherapist/ doing
administration/ on no pay leave, do I still need to fulfill the CPD points?
A: All SPA members must fulfill the CPD requirements. However, members who Wish to be exempted from the CPD requirements must write to the SPA for their appeal to be heard on a case-by-case basis. |
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| 16. Why is there a limit for maximum points in each category?
A: Certain categories have a maximal points limit so as to encourage members to be involved in a wide range of professional development activities. |
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| 17. If I am pursuing a non Physiotherapy related course, can I
be exempted from CPD?
A: CPD is meant for professional development and the maintaining of physiotherapy standards. Non Physiotherapy courses do not fulfill these objectives; you will not be granted exemption. As such, courses like MBAs, MHSC, MPH do not qualify for exemption. |
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| 18. Is degree conversion considered for CPD exemption?
A: Yes, degree conversion is considered for CPD exemption during the period of studies, whether full time or part time. |
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| 19. What is considered a Physiotherapy or non-Physiotherapy
course?
A: Simply put, a course has to have direct (e.g. degree in manipulation) or indirect (e.g. degree in physiology, research degree) clinical relevance to the practice of Physiotherapy to be considered for exemption. This would therefore exclude management/administrative /business degrees such as MBA, MSHA. All non-straightforward cases will be considered on a case-by-case basis. |
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| 20. I am a foreigner and will work in Singapore only for 2
years, do I need to fulfill my CPD requirements as I do not have the intention
to renew my membership?
A: The CPD is a way of helping members to monitor their professional development. It is also a necessity in membership renewal. Although the need to fulfill the CPD requirement is not necessary if you do not intend to renew membership, the SPA would still encourage you to keep up with your professional development. |
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| 21. I am a foreigner and will work in Singapore only for 1
year, can I apply for a 1 year membership?
A: No, each term of the membership is two years. |
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| CPD and membership | |
| 22. How will the term of membership be considered in view of
the CPD?
A: CPD and membership will run concurrently. From 1st July 2005, membership changes to a 2 year term. There will be no changes in the annual membership fee because of CPD. Membership less than 2 years will have their CPD points pro-rated accordingly. |
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| 23. Will CPD be pro rated if my term of membership is less than
two full years?
A: Yes, it will be prorated accordingly. |
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| Awarding of CPD points | |
| 24. I am teaching/lecturing, do I get CPD points for that?
A: Currently, teaching in an academic institution does not constitute professional development. However if you are invited as a content expert lecturer, you can claim your CPD points under core category 15. Conducting inservices for staff also entitle you to CPD points. |
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| 25. Do I get CPD points for giving public talks/ talks to
students?
A: You could claim your CPD points for your attendance at the Conference and as an invited speaker, under two separate categories. |
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| 26. Do I get more points whether I am a participant or a
speaker at a conference.
A: See above answer. CPD points will be awarded equally for your attendance at the Conference whether you are speaking or an attendee. |
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| 27. I am a private practitioner, I do not have inservices,
therefore I may not be able to accumulate sufficient points. Am I at a
disadvantage?
A: On the contrary, private practitioners who did not have access to inservices in the past were actually at a disadvantage then. With the implementation of CPD, institutions are invited to open up their inservices to SPA members. Information will be put onto the SPA homepage. Private practitioners will have to contact the relevant institutions to indicate their interest in attending the inservices. This privilege was not available before the CPD implementation. |
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| 28. Do I get CPD points for doing research?
A: CPD will be awarded for research. Points are awarded for poster and oral Presentations in conferences. Points are also awarded for publication. |
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| 29. What if my research does not get published or is not
presented?
A: Research is an intellectual exercise. It involves thorough planning and extensive literature review to identify and address existing knowledge gaps or to test out new initiatives/interventions. Therefore, research results will interest all Physiotherapists and should therefore be presented, in one form or another. Research, regardless of how good, has no value if the knowledge is not shared. The objective of research is beyond an academic exercise. As such, CPD points are only awarded to research that is presented or published. |
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| 30. Do I get CPD points for publishing/presenting research that
is part of an academic course requirement (eg. MSc )?
A: Yes, you will still get points for each publication/presentation. |
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| 31. Do I get points for publishing abstracts?
A: Currently, CPD points are awarded for each publication, regardless of abstract or the full paper. |
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| 32. Will I get points in two categories if I submit the same
research for a poster presentation and subsequently get it published in a
journal.
A: Most journals would want exclusive publication rights to your research. However, if your research is presented in several mediums/sources, SPA will award the CPD points in all the appropriate categories. There is however an exception to the above, please see next question. |
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| 33. How will CPD points be calculated if I presented a poster
at a conference, and subsequently all the research were published in a
supplement/ special edition of a journal to commemorate the conference?
A: In this case, you will only be awarded points for the poster presentation. |
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| 34. The time lapse between the submission of my manuscript to
the publication of the paper in the journal lapses over my membership renewal
cum CPD term. How do I calculate the points?
A: CPD points are awarded based on the date/month that the research appears in print and not the date of submission of manuscript. |
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| 35. If I attend a multidisciplinary conference with multiple
talks/seminars (eg the clusters’ annual scientific meeting), how do I enter the
points for CPD?
A: For conferences, you need only to enter the title of the conference and the duration of time spent at the conference. You do not need to enter the individual talks/workshops/seminars that you attended during the conference itself. Under “Specialisation” you can choose the most appropriate specialty, alternatively choose “others” and type “multi disciplinary”. |
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| How to use the system | |
| 36. Why do I get 0 points for some entries?
A: For some categories, there is a minimum time requirement. As you enter your CPD participation, the record will be captured but points will only be awarded if you meet the stipulated minimum time. Eg Inservices have to be at least 45 minutes, any inservices less than 45 minutes will not be awarded points even though the data may be captured. Please check your entry again |
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| 37. What happens to the system if I have reached the maximum
point limit for a category?
A: You could still enter the points into the database. This will be a good source of archive of your learning records over the years. However, the points in excess of the maximum allowable limit for that category will not be used in the calculation of your CPD requirements. |
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| 38. Can I carry over excess points to the next membership term
/ CPD cycle?
A: No, you cannot. |
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