Free continuing professional development resources for new grads

We all know that we never stop learning and as a physio, that’s particularly the case. You’ll be learning for the rest of your career, and that’s a good thing for you, your patients and your employer. As a new graduate, despite all the study and placements you’ve completed at university, it is common feel underprepared for what is needed once you enter the workplace and treat real patients who expect real results (hello imposter syndrome!). That is why it’s so important to continue to build on your skills and knowledge. 

Continuing professional development (CPD) is a way for you to maintain and develop your skills and knowledge throughout your career in order to practice safely and effectively. CPD should be a mixture of learning activities relevant to current or future practice.

The four categories of CPD activities include

• work-based learning
• professional activity
• formal education
• self-directed learning.

As well as obvious learning opportunities, such as courses or in-service sessions and many everyday work activities, you can gain rich learning experiences outside of the working environment.

If anything, working through a global pandemic has shown us the endless opportunities available to us online, and the same goes for CPD.

CPD is almost anything you want it to be, as long as you are documenting your learning and using it to identify how you can develop as a person and as a professional.

Examples could include, but are not limited to: 

• Reading Tweet chats such as #Physiotalk
• Following individuals on social media, such as Rachel Moses (@AHPLeader) who regularly shares free resources and training
• Listening to podcasts like Physio Matters
• Making the most of online discussion tools such as Whatsapp (check out our CSP member Viewpoint article in Frontline)
• Listening to a topical debate on the radio or following one on social media
• Exploring physio apps such as the On-call Buddy which is a great resource for on-call working. Check out the CSP ‘s ORCHA library page for more apps  
• Watching live and pre-recorded videos such as Running Physio’s YouTube series
• Taking part in interactiveCSP discussions
• Exploring the many online training courses available through health boards, trusts and universities.  They’re a great opportunity to learn from specialist clinicians across specialities. Health Education England have produced an online respiratory e-learning programme aimed at new graduates and covers topics such as A-E assessment, ABGs, oxygen therapy and other respiratory modalities. Also take a look at Physiopedia
• Being mentored or mentoring others
• Gaining new skills as  a CSP workplace steward or safety rep
• Reading a newspaper article or blog such as Physio Newbies
• Reflecting  on an e-journal or news article such as those in CSP’s Frontline magazine
• Completing a CSP Learning Hub eBite 

Even overhearing someone talking on a bus about their experience of healthcare services or observing patient care and communication skills of staff when visiting a friend in hospital can be examples of CPD.

As you can see the variety and options available for CPD are endless! Remember to take the time to assess what you have learnt, collate your notes and capture all your learnings and reflections in your CPD portfolio.  Here are our top tips for keeping a portfolio to support the development of your practice.

Once you are logged into the CSP ePortfolio simply click on the 'portfolio' tab to access 12 different CPD templates, to help structure your reflections, including an action plan, learning from critical appraisal, learning online and peer reflection templates.

Remember, CPD should not be a chore seen to simply appease the HCPC, but rather the process by which you become the best physio and leader you can be. Be creative, be curious and be hungry for knowledge and it will pay off for you and your career.

Have you got other CPD resources or tips that you can share with your peers? We'd love to hear them! Share them on Twitter and tag us to let us know.