Continuing professional development guidance note
This guidance note provides information for health practitioners about the State Insurance Regulatory Authority’s (SIRA’s) continuing professional development (CPD) requirements when appointed as a health practitioner authorised to give evidence in the compulsory third party (CTP) scheme under Part 8 of the Motor Accident Guidelines (the Guidelines).
Who do the CPD requirements apply to?
The CPD requirements apply to all health practitioners appointed by the Authority to its list of health practitioners authorised to give evidence in court and other dispute resolution proceedings.
This requirement does not apply to health practitioners:
- a) authorised by agreement between the parties to conduct a joint medical assessment; or
- b) appointed by the Authority for a specific purpose and duration on application by a claimant or an insurer.
What am I required to do?
You must complete at least two hours of CPD related to medico-legal practice during your three-year period of authorisation.
Health practitioners registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) are required to meet minimum CPD Registration Standards for their profession’s National Board. The Authority’s CPD requirements may be completed as part of these existing CPD requirements.
CPD activities that meet the requirement
CPD activities must maintain, develop, update, or enhance your knowledge, skills, and performance.
To meet the Authority’s requirement, CPD activities must be related to medico-legal practice. This may include, but is not limited to, the following topics:
- writing medico-legal reports
- communicating with injured people
- dispute resolution
- conducting medico-legal assessments
- assessing impairment and determining capacity
- appearing as medical/expert witnesses
- giving evidence in court
- handling complaints.
The following table lists examples of activities that are likely to be accepted, provided they relate to medico-legal practice.
Category | Activity |
|---|---|
Skills and knowledge |
These activities may be provided by any relevant CPD provider. |
Peer-based |
|
Reviewing performance |
|
When do I need to satisfy these requirements?
When you apply for appointment
On the application form, you will be asked to declare that you will comply with the Authority's CPD requirements throughout your three-year period of authorisation.
When you apply for re-appointment
You must satisfy the CPD requirements during each subsequent three-year period of authorisation. On the application form, you will be asked to declare you:
- 1. have satisfied the CPD requirements in your previous period of authorisation, and
- 2. will continue to comply with the requirements if re-appointed to the Authority’s list.
How do I demonstrate I have satisfied the requirements?
The Authority may request you provide evidence to demonstrate you have satisfied the CPD requirements.
Examples of relevant evidence may include:
- logged entries on a CPD portal or dashboard (this can be through a medical college or a third party)
- certification or record of attendance/completion from a CPD provider, medical college, or other relevant professional body
- documented discussion notes (this should include details such as the date of the discussion, participants involved, purpose of the discussion and key takeaways and learnings from the discussion)
- peer review log or discussion and evaluation notes (this should outline the criteria used and rationale for evaluation)
What happens if I don’t satisfy the requirements?
If you are unable to demonstrate you have satisfied or will satisfy the requirements throughout your period of authorisation, the Authority may revoke your appointment and remove you from its list of health practitioners authorised to give evidence.