Welcome to your February issue, where you will find some topics to inspire and entertain.
In this edition, Dr Catriona Bradley reflects on the strange experience — as Executive Director of the IIOP — of receiving a mail from herself as a reminder of her CPD obligations.
Catriona also touches briefly on a very important point: Pharmacists are lucky to have the CPD model that is in place. Compared to some other models that are in place for other healthcare professionals (HCPs), the pharmacist CPD model encompasses both personal and professional growth.
In this regard, I believe pharmacists are a little ‘ahead’ of doctors when it comes to respective CPD models. Changes are afoot in the medical profession too, designed to follow the development of the whole person, rather than ticking boxes for ‘X’ amount of hours at conferences. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with attending conferences — on the contrary, it’s a vital tool in the development of any HCP.
It’s worth noting here the contribution of industry in organising and facilitating these conferences, without which many doctors — and other HCPs — would struggle to meet the requirements.
Catriona points out that sometimes, the most valuable learning with the greatest longevity doesn’t arise from neat, tidy experiences. It often comes from messy, awkward self-examination, such as wrestling with one’s own inner critic.
Here, I believe, is a metaphor for life, and another reason why the pharmacist CPD module has value — this is mirrored in life experiences, outside of the professional realm. Perhaps you can relate: Some of the most painful and unwelcome life experiences provide us with life-long learning. Not easy, but incredibly formative.
And if the segue isn’t too clumsy, don’t forget you can pick up 2 CPD points by completing our module on AMD, also included in this issue.
Spring is just around the corner, the days are getting brighter, and there is much to look forward to in pharmacy over the coming years. Enjoy your February.
Pat Kelly, pat@greenx.ie
