PMLS-LESSON-10 PDF Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

# Lesson 10: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) ## Intended Learning Outcomes At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to: 1. explain the importance of lifelong learning among laboratory professionals; 2. discuss the legal basis for the implementation of CPD law in the Philipp...

# Lesson 10: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) ## Intended Learning Outcomes At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to: 1. explain the importance of lifelong learning among laboratory professionals; 2. discuss the legal basis for the implementation of CPD law in the Philippines; 3. determine the process of application for and acquisition of CPD units for registered professionals; and 4. identify factors that affect the implementation of the CPD law in the Philippine context. ## Pre-Test **Instructions: Choose the letter that corresponds to the correct answer and write it on the blank provided.** 1. The CPD Law of 2016 is also known as * a. R.A. 10129 * b. R.A. 10912 * c. R.A. 10291 * d. R.A. 19012 2. If a medical technologist renewed his or her PRC ID last May 25, 2017, how many CPD units would be most likely required of him or her? * a. 15 * b. 27 * c. 45 * d. None of the above 3. Which government agency regulates the practice of medical technology? * a. Department of Health * b. Professional Regulation Commission * c. Supreme Court * d. All of the above 4. At least how many days prior to the CPD activity should CPD providers submit their application for CPD activities to the CPD Council? * a. 30 days * b. 45 days * c. 60 days * d. 90 day 5. How many CPD units are required for the renewal of the PIC of medical technologists every 3 years? * a. 30 units * b. 45 units * c. 60 units * d. 90 units 6. Whose executive order initiated the requirement for CPE units for the renewal of professional licenses? * a. Corazon Aquino * b. Fidel Ramos * c. Joseph Estrada * d. Benigno Aquino III 7. The PRC Modernization Act of 2000 is also known as * a. R.A. 4688 * b. R.A. 5527 * c. R.A. 8981 * d. R.A. 10912 8. The first member of the CPD Council for Medical Technology is the president of this organization. * a. PAMET * b. PASMETH * c. PHISMETS * d. PAMELAS 9. This refers to a common reference framework that enables comparison of education qualifications across ASEAN member states. * a. MRA * b. AQRF * c. PQF * d. All of the above 10. The implementation of R.A. 10912 started on: * a. July 25, 1995 * b. July 21, 2016 * c. August 16, 2016 * d. March 15, 2017 # Lifelong Learning for Professionals Most people associate learning with formal education. Aspiring professionals view the attainment of quality education as a very important goal. However, the end of compulsory education should not be viewed as freedom from educational obligation. Learning happens through the course of a lifetime. It does not stop once graduation togas are donned and diplomas are conferred. Professionals should be lifelong learners. They are expected to have skills that are on a par with the requirements of companies to ensure the quality of services they will render. Thus, a country's pool of professionals with up-to-date knowledge and skills translates to public good. In the health care industry, for example, research suggests that higher level of education among health care providers leads to better health care delivery and improved patient outcomes. Aside from public accountability, the importance of lifelong learning is magnified by the dynamic flow of information in present time. We live in the Information Age where computers, robotics, Internet, and other ICT tools are the primary drivers of economic growth. The age of digital revolution requires professionals to be adept in manipulating these ICT tools for the efficient delivery of services to the public. Lifelong learning is a demand in an environment filled with global markets. Previously, professional practice used to be confined within a nation's borders but because of globalization, there is accelerated change and application of technology solutions in the new millennium. Professional mobility across international borders is now common. Global market players and employers prefer employees who continually acquire skills and knowledge to enable them to adapt to the evolving needs of the global labor market. This is important in the context of the Filipino nation because of its huge sector of overseas foreign workers (OFW) with thousands of professionals being employed in other countries annually. In the regional context, lifelong learning is also encouraged. The establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 was a historical milestone and a huge stride towards the regional economic integration of ASEAN Member States (AMS). As a step towards regional integration and mobility of professionals in the region, the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF) was established. The AQRF is a common reference framework that enables comparison of educational qualifications across AMS. One of the objectives of the AQRF is to encourage the development of qualifications that can facilitate lifelong learning. # Continuing Professional Development and its Legal Basis Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is important to ensure the competency of professionals. It is the maintenance, enhancement, and extension of knowledge, expertise, and competence of professionals after attaining a bachelor's degree. As such, CPD is the longest phase of professional education and is essential to the provision of evidence-based health care in the contemporary health care setting. It provides a structured framework to ensure improvement, progression, and career growth that benefits both professionals and their respective organizations. Undertaking CPD facilitates continued competence and personal and professional development, which in turn translate to increased career worth that facilitates the advancement of the profession. ### Table 10.1 The Benefits of CPD | Benefits to the individual | Benefits to the organization | |:---|:---| | Builds confidence and credibility | Maximizes staff potential | | Showcases achievements; useful for appraisals | Helps employees to set SMART (specific, measurable, realistic and time-bound) objectives | | Achieves career goals by focusing on training and development | Promotes staff development | | Copes positively with changes by constantly updating knowledge and skill | Adds value for reflecting; helps staff to consciously apply learning to their role and for the organization's development | | Improves productivity and efficiency by reflecting learning and highlighting the gaps in knowledge and experience | Linking to appraisals; helps employees focus their achievements throughout the years | CPD is embraced by developing countries as an effective way of maintaining and improving the competencies of health professionals, thus, making it mandatory. This is due to the requirement for health practitioners to demonstrate and maintain competence in light of the ever-changing scope of practice and technological advances in the field of medicine and allied health. In fact, participation of medical laboratory scientists in CPD is a pre-requisite for salary adjustment and career advancement in developed countries. The terms CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and CPE (Continuing Professional Education) are often used interchangeably. However, CPE more aptly refers to training which is linear and formal. Training objectives in CPE are usually focused on learning a particular skill or set of skills to improve professional competence. CPD, on the other hand, refers to the development of one's knowledge, skills, and attitude significantly relevant to capability and competency in his or her profession. On July 25, 1995, former President Fidel V. Ramos issued Executive Order No. 266 entitled “Institutionalization of the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Programs of the Various Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs) under the Supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).” Anticipating the stiff competition in the global professional labor market as a result of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) treaty by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Philippine government has required all Filipino professionals to undergo continuing education programs. The order was implemented through PRC Resolution No. 381, Series of 1995 titled "Standardized Guidelines and Procedures for the implementation of the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Programs for all Professions" which took effect on November 13, 1995. Operations of CPE Councils were further strengthened by Administrative Order No. 260 Series of 1996. E.O. No. 266 required the completion of 60 CPE units as a condition for the renewal of licenses of professionals in the country. The said provision, however, was repealed by the passage of the PRC Modernization Act of 2000 (R.A. 8981), on December 05, 2000. In 2004, PRC issued Resolution No. 179 mandating the implementation of a voluntary CPE program for professionals. This was repealed by PRC Resolution 2008-466 which emphasized the moral obligation of professionals to obtain CPE units but in turn was repealed by PRC Resolution 2013-774 which revised the CPE/CPD Guidelines to CPD Guidelines. What was missing in earlier orders, resolutions, and issuances, however, was a law that will empower the implementation of CPD for professionals. On July 21, 2016, Republic Act 10912 was passed into law and took effect on August 16, 2016. The said law mandated the strengthening of CPD programs for all regulated professions and the creation of CPD Councils for each profession. It aims to continuously improve the competence of professionals in accordance with international standards of practice towards the uplifting of the general welfare, economic growth, and development of the nation. The implementation of R.A. 10912 started on March 15, 2017 upon the effectivity of the PRC Resolution No. 1032, also known as the Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 10912. R.A. 10912 defines lifelong learning as "learning activities undertaken throughout life for the development of competencies and qualifications of the professional," while CPD was defined as "the inculcation of advanced knowledge, skills, and ethical values in a post-licensure specialization or in an inter- or multidisciplinary field of study, for assimilation into professional practice, self-directed research, and/or lifelong learning.” The said law seeks to formulate and implement CPD programs for each profession in order to: 1. enhance and upgrade the competencies and qualifications of professionals for the practice of their professions pursuant to the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF), the AQRF, and the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs); 2. ensure international alignment of competencies and qualifications of professionals through career progression mechanisms leading to specialization/sub-specialization; 3. ensure the development of quality-assured mechanisms for the validation, accreditation, and recognition of formal, non-formal, and informal learning outcomes, including professional work experiences and prior learning; 4. ensure maintenance of core competencies and development of advanced and new competencies, in order to respond to national, regional, and international labor market needs; and 5. recognize and ensure the contributions of professionals in uplifting the general welfare, economic growth, and development of the nation. # The CPD Process According to PRC, the overarching goal of CPD programs is the promotion of the general welfare and interests of the public in the course of delivering professional services. Further, CPD aims to: 1. continuously improve the quality of the country's reservoir of registered professionals by updating them on the latest scientific/technological/ethical and other applicable trends in the local and global practice of the professions; 2. provide support to lifelong learning in the enhancement of competencies of Filipino professionals towards delivery of quality and ethical services both locally and globally; and 3. deliver quality CPD activities aligned with the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) for national and global comparability and competitiveness. Each profession has its own CPD council which is composed of (1) a member from the Professional Regulatory Board (PRB) as chair, (2) the president or officer of an Accredited Professional Organization (APO) as first member, and (3) the president or officer of the national organization of deans or department chairpersons of schools, colleges, or universities offering the course requiring the licensure examination as second member. In the case of the medical technology profession, the first member is the president of the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, Inc. (PAMET) while the second member is the president of the Philippine Association of Schools of Medical Technology and Public Health, Inc. (PASMETH). The CPD Council is generally tasked to oversee the implementation of the CPD program of the profession including the evaluation and monitoring of CPD programs. CPD providers need to apply their respective programs to the CPD Council at least 45 days prior to the conduct of the CPD activity. The CPD Council will then evaluate the proposed activity and designate the number of units to be assigned to it. The current list of CPD providers for medical technologists is as follows: 1. Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, Inc. (PAMET) 2. Philippine Association of Schools of Medical Technology and Public Health, Inc. (PASMETH) 3. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) 4. Philippine Blood Coordinating Council (PBCC) 5. Philippine Council for Quality Assurance in Clinical Laboratories 6. National Reference Laboratory for HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases, San Lazaro Hospital (NRL-SLH/SACCL) 7. University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Pharmacy – Department of Medical Technology 8. Far Eastern University – Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation School of Medical Tecnology 9. Centro Escolar University – College of Medical Technology 10. Newborn Screening Society of the Philippines 11. Asian Hospital 12. Philippine Society of Echocardiography 13. Angeles University Foundation 14. University of the Immaculate Conception 15. University of the Philippines Manila – College of Public Health 16. Bicol Sanitarium 17. Far Eastern University Manila – Department of Medical Technology 18. Department of Health Regional Office III 19. Department of Health – Health Facility Development Bureau 20. Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center - Department of Laboratories 21. St. Luke's Medical Center - Quezon City CPD is a mandatory requirement in the renewal of the professional identification card (PIC) of all registered and licensed professionals under the regulation of PRC. Even professionals working abroad and senior citizens are covered by the said requirement. Every professional is required to renew his or her PIC every three years. For the said period, he or she must acquire a stipulated number of CPD units. For registered medical technologists, the required number of CPD units for PIC renewal is 45 units or an average of 15 units per year for three years. Any excess number of CPD units cannot be carried over to the next three-year period except for the credit units from doctorate and master's degrees or specialty trainings which are only credited once during the compliance period. During the initial implementation of the CPD requirement for PIC renewal, PRC instituted a general transitory period as follows: | PIC Renewal Period | Minimum CPD Units Required for the Profession | |:---|:---| | January to June 2017 | 0% | | July to December 2017 | 30% | | 2018 | 60% | | 2019 onwards | 100% | # CPD Programs CPD programs consist of structured to non-structured activities with definite learning processes and outcomes. Examples of CPD activities include formal learning, non-forming learning, informal learning, self-directed learning, online learning activities, and professional work experience. There is a specified number of credit units for every type of CPD activity. The general matrix for determining the number of units assigned for a CPD activity is as follows: ### Table 10.3 General Matrix of CPD Activities | Program/Activity | Credit Units (CU) | Supporting Document | |:---|:---|:---| | Professional track (training offered by accredited CPD providers, face to face/online) (valid 3 years prior to the renewal) | | | | 1.1. Participant | Approved credit units for the program | Certificate of attendance with number of hours, seminar program, and list of participants | | 1.2. Resource speaker | 3 CU per hour | Photocopy of certificate, copy of papers, and program invitation | | 1.3. Panelist/reactor | 2 CU per hour | Certification from sponsoring organization and copy of program | | 1.4. Facilitator/moderator | 1 CU per hour | Certification from sponsoring organization and copy of program | | 1.5. Monitor | Twice the number of approved credit units for the program | Monitoring report, certificate of appearance and the authority to monitor | | 1.6. In-service training | Maximum of 20 CU for a 12-month period or a fraction thereof upon completion | Certificate of training and training description | | Academic track (valid 5 years from the conferment of diploma/certificate) | | | | 2.1. Master's degree or equivalent | Full credit units for compliance period upon completion of degree | University certification/ diploma and transcript of records (authenticated copy) | | 2.2. Doctorate degree or equivalent | Full credit units upon completion of candidacy for compliance period Additional full credit units for compliance period upon completion of degree | University certification/ diploma and transcript of records (authenticated copy) | | 2.3. Professorial chair | 15 CU per year | Certification of grant or appointment paper | | 2.4. Residency/externship/ specialty/sub- specialty program | 10 CU per year | Hospital certification and certificate of completion | | 2.5. Fellowship grant | | | | 2.5.1. Participant | 2 CU per grant | Certification from the granting institution and/or certificate of fellowship | | 2.5.2. Resource speaker | 4 CU per grant | | | 2.5.3. Researcher | 5 CU per grant | | | 2.6. Post graduate diploma | Maximum of 30 CU for an 18-month period or a fraction thereof upon completion | Diploma/certification from the institution | | Self-directed (training offered by non-accredited CPD providers, face too face/online) (valid 3 years prior to the renewal) | | | | 3.1. Participant | Credit units for the program as evaluated by the CPD council | Certificate of attendance with number of hours, seminar program, and list of participants | | 3.2. Resource speaker | 3 CU per hour | Photocopy of certificate, copy of papers, and program invitation | | 3.3. Panelist/reactor | 2 CU per hour | Certification from sponsoring organization and copy of program | | 3.4. Facilitator/moderator | 1 CU per hour | Certification from sponsoring organization and copy of program | | 3.5. In-service training | Maximum of 20 CU for a 12-month period or a fraction thereof upon completion | Certificate of training and training description | | 3.6. Program/training module development | 10 CU per module | Copy of module and evaluation | | 3.7. Technical paper | 5 CU per technical paper for published paper, see 3.8 | Certification of completion and approval for published paper, see 3.8 | | 3.8. Article published in a refereed/peer-reviewed professional journal | | | | 3.8.1. Author/s | Local - 10 CU International - 15 CU For multiple authors, divide CU equally among them. | Copy of published article and table of contents | | 3.8.2. Peer reviewer | 2 CU per article | | | 3.9. Pamphlet/book or monograph | | | | 3.9.1. Author/s | 20 CU for single author for pamphlet (less than 100 pages) 40 CU for single author for book or monograph (more than 100 pages) For multiple authors, divide CU equally among them. | Copy of published book | | 3.9.2. Editor | Maximum of 20 CU | Proof of publication of article | | 3.10. Article in magazine/ newspaper | Maximum of 5 CU per article For multiple authors, divide CU equally among them. | Certified copy of patent certificate | | 3.11. Inventions | Full credit units for compliance period | | | 3.12. Study tours/visits | 2 CU/day (maximum of 20 CU/ tour) | Certification from sponsoring institution | | 3.13. Consultancy (e.g., technical meetings/ accreditation and other activities as per request of an institution, etc.) | 1 CU per hour | Certificate of appearance and invitation | | 3.14. Socio-civic activities using profession (e.g., medical missions, outreach programs, etc.) | 1 CU per hour | Project proposal, report, and photos | | 3.15. Recognition/title (e.g., fellows, hall of fame award, outstanding professional, lifetime achievement awardee, etc.) | Full credit units for compliance period | Copy of certification from the awarding body (duly notarized) | | 4. Such other activities to be recommended by the CPD Council and approved by the Board and the Commission | | | If a professional attended a training or seminar that was not organized by a CPD provider or has no assigned CPD units, he or she can apply the said training or seminar to the CPD Council. The CPD Council will convert such activities to CPD credit units and the professional will be entitled to a Certificate of Credit Units Earned. This will, however, exact costs and an evaluation period of 60 days. The professional who cannot complete the required number of CPD units can file an affidavit of undertaking to allow him or her to renew his or her PIC; however, the shortfall in the required number of CPD units will be added to his or her next renewal. # The implementation of the CPD Law. The implementation of the CPD Law has been a very polarizing issue for professionals. Despite its benefits, the requirement for CPD units also entails several drawbacks. These include the difficulty of access to CPD programs for professionals assigned to remote areas of the country, added financial burden, and lack of time to attend CPD programs, among others. Because of these drawbacks, several groups have petitioned to either review or abolish R.A. 10912. To address these concerns, government agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH) have been encouraged to apply as CPD providers and to provide free CPD programs to their employees. Accredited professional organizations and private sector employers have also been encouraged offer free CPD trainings as part of their corporate social responsibility. Looking at the bigger picture, it is apparent that the benefits of CPD outweigh its drawbacks towards international benchmarks in the fast-evolving global landscape. In the end, it is still the personal responsibility of a professional to map out his or her professional development plans. It is the personal vision and professional drive of an individual that will ensure positive outcomes and improvements in terms of his or her professional competence and performance. ## Key Points * Learning is a lifelong process. * CPD is a form of lifelong learning and is important in maintaining, updating, and extending the competency of professionals. * Medical technologists must accumulate at least 45 CPD units for the renewal of their professional licenses every three years. * There are several types of CPD programs with corresponding number of credit units. # Post-Test **Instructions: Match the program/activity with the corresponding credit units.** | Program/Activity | Credit Units | |:---|:---| | You were the resource speaker in a one-hour lecture-seminar. | a. 1 CU | | You have patented a new method of testing for Hepatitis. | b. 2 CU | | You moderated a four-hour interactive workshop in the laboratory. | c. 3 CU | | You participated in a two-day benchmarking visit/tour to a clinical laboratory based abroad. | d. 4 CU | | You published an article in an international peer-reviewed journal. | e. 5 CU | | You participated in a whole day (8 hours) medical mission. | f. 8 CU | | You were recognized as an Outstanding Medical Technologist awardee by PRC. | g. 10 CU | | You were able to publish a feature article in a national newspaper. | h. 15 CU| | You are one of the four authors of a 300-page monograph on urinalysis standardization. | i. 20 CU | | You were invited as an accreditor in the ISO 15189 accreditation visit of a clinical laboratory for one day. | j. 45 CU | # Enhancement/Reinforcement of Learning CPD is a highly controversial topic among professionals including medical technologists. The CPD requirement, as part of the license renewal process, has advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, professionals have different perceptions and preferences in the delivery of CPD activities. ## Tasks 1. Interview medical technologists in primary, secondary, and tertiary laboratories and get feedback regarding the following: * a. Perceived benefits and drawbacks of CPD for medical technologists * b. Perceived barriers in attaining CPD units * c. Preferred mode of delivery for CPD activities 2. Present your output to the class using a PowerPoint presentation.