PRG survey results

The annual survey results are valuable to the RANZCP Committee for Continuing Professional Development (CCPD) and areas of the wider College and its reporting obligations.

This year the survey received an almost 60% response rate.

Report outcomes

• Statistics and trends are included in the reports regarding:
• PRG special interest areas
• Meeting logistics such as mode and frequency
• Factors contributing to the success of groups
• Difficulties encountered and/or concerns identified by groups
• Any helpfulness of groups to clinical practice
• Effectiveness of groups in supporting practice improvement
• Value to PRGs of Qualified Privilege
• And, for the current 2021 report:
• Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Report responses

Some PRG coordinators had concerns in relation to questions asked and the below information is intended to provide some clarification of the issues raised.

Reintroduction of mandatory CPD in 2021

• While 2020 CPD participation was made voluntary during the pandemic, this was at the discretion of the regulatory bodies (the Medical Council of New Zealand and the Medical Board of Australia). The RANZCP does not have the authority to remove CPD requirements; it provides a program that enables specialists to meet the CPD requirements of their registration. Completion of CPD is a regulatory requirement for all Australasian doctors.
• It was wonderful to see the highly valued role the PRGs continued to play for many members during the pandemic. In recognition that the majority had to transition to an online platform, the Guideline for 'virtual PRGs'  was published last year https://www.ranzcp.org/files/cpd/options-for-virtual-peer-review-groups.aspx. 
• Expenditure on CPD is a legitimate professional expense, and advice should be sought on how items such as Zoom accounts may be claimed as tax deductions or CME expenses (for Aotearoa New Zealand Fellows). 

Burden of PRG Administrative duties for PRG coordinators

If coordinators are feeling burdened by administrative obligations, there is the option to assign a 'Record Keeper' to assist. Instructions on how this can be done through My CPD can be found at in the help section online. 

Intent of the surveys which inform these reports; and what does that mean for the role of the RANZCP PRG?

• To maintain the qualified privilege granted by the Australian Department of Health and the New Zealand Ministry of Health, the RANZCP is required to provide evidence annually of the benefits of the PRG activity, and this is done through the annual survey.
• While every response is appreciated, and potentially impactful, it is not the intention that coordinators 'police' their PRG. It is also not expected that every question is applicable to every PRG.
• There is no intention to change or remove the PRG activity. Overwhelmingly and consistently PRG participation is reported as “very helpful” to members’ clinical practice and their wellbeing.

Additional information

Some Australian respondents questioned being asked about “objectively demonstrable benefits”, and any strategies used to monitor quality improvement / practice change. 

Please be assured that PRGs are not required to demonstrate improved practice however most do; some groups used this opportunity to reflect on possible practice impact. The Committee for Continuing Professional Development (CCPD) acknowledges that it is not practicable to demonstrate objective evidence of practice improvement as a result of PRG.

These specific questions were, however, included in the survey at the request of the New Zealand Ministry of Health as part of the reporting requirements to maintain PRG registration as a “quality assurance activity” and retaining the associated Qualified Privilege. The CCPD will consider how to better address this requirement in the future.

Previous reports

• For any questions about the survey or to obtain previous reports, contact cpdhelp@ranzcp.org.