Continuing professional development improves patient care, patient safety and physician wellbeing: International CPD standards and the knowledge tsunami

Abstract

Medical knowledge is evolving rapidly and expanding exponentially. The lifespan of information is now only 70 days, and a deluge of knowledge is predicted, driven by advances in information technology, artificial intelligence, the availability of large datasets, scientific progress, and international collaboration. Continuing Professional Development (CPD), including lifelong learning for doctors, is essential for ensuring safe patient care. CPD requirements for doctors vary amongst different countries and are associated with significant international controversies. This article presents the experience of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, aiming to underscore the importance of investing in CPD to enhance patient care and physician well-being. The article also highlights how CPD strengthens the ability to address various challenges in healthcare, from clinical well-being to national imperatives for improved health, care quality, and cost reduction. Finally, it emphasizes that CPD is an investment in both patients and staff and requires promotion and support to succeed.

Ongoing international research is necessary to: explore doctors' attitudes towards the regulation of professional competence; identify barriers to participation and propose solutions to enhance engagement; assess the effectiveness of education, including its impact on patient and public health outcomes; bolster public trust, patient safety, and care quality; and, additionally, identify challenges related to future CPD requirements and healthcare service advancements.