CPD Categories Explained

This article explains what the various CPD Categories mean, what each consist of, and their relevance to your professional development. As a registered healthcare professional with either the Medical and Dental Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Allied Health Professions Council, Psychology Council, or the Pharmacy Council, it is important to note that you are required to complete courses, training, or programs from Categories 1, 2, and 3 every year. Please refer to your respective Council’s CPD Policy or Guideline for further details.

For convenience and clarity, the following CATEGORIES have been distinguished for all healthcare professionals.

• CPD CATEGORY 1
• CPD CATEGORY 2
• CPD CATEGORY 3

CPD CATEGORY 1

Laws, Ethics, Regulations, and Practice Standards in Healthcare

Courses and training in this category are highly recommended and indeed compulsory for most health professional groups on a yearly basis. This includes content on areas such as:

• Bioethics
• Medical jurisprudence
• Ethical issues in research
• Ethical issues in healthcare practice
• Court appearance (Expert Witness)
• International standards of practice and care
• Practitioner-Client relationships
• Laws and regulations governing healthcare practice in Ghana
• Relevant laws and regulations governing healthcare practice globally
• Professional code of conduct, etc.

CPD CATEGORY 2

Health Profession and Practice Based Courses, Events and Activities

Courses and training in this category relate directly to an individuals’ professional area of practice, specialization, and/or sub-specialization. Some of the courses may come with a complimentary practical or hands-on session to be physically attended on a scheduled date, and at a predetermined location. This typically includes content in the following areas as well as their specialties and sub-specialties:

• Audiology                       
• Biostatistics                    
• Dental Sciences
• Dentistry           
• Dietetics
• Disease Control Sciences
• Environmental Health Sciences
• Food and Nutrition
• Health Information Technology
• Health Promotion                        
• Medical Laboratory Sciences      
• Medical Physics              
• Medicine and Medical Sciences 
• Mental Health
• Midwifery         
• Nuclear Medical Sciences
• Nursing
• Nutrition           
• Occupational Therapy
• Optical Sciences
• Optometry
• Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Pharmacy Technology
• Physiotherapy   
• Prosthetics and Orthotics           
• Psychology
• Radiation Therapy/Therapy Radiography
• Radiography     
• Respiratory Therapy      
• Speech Therapy             
• Ultra Sonography, etc.

CPD CATEGORY 3

Courses, Events and Activities in Areas Outside of a Typical Health Professional Field or Regular Area of Practice

Courses and training in this category relate to management, administration, leadership, and related content. This can vary significantly in the mode of delivery, content, or subject area.

The following are a few areas that are typically classed as CATEGORY 3 CPD training programs:

• Supply Chain Management
• Sales & Marketing
• Management and Administration
• Practice Research & Publications
• Records Management & Reporting
• Cost and Management Accounting
• Human Resource Management
• Project Management
• Conflict Management
• Leadership
• Taxation, etc.

Written by: Rafik Mahama