The CPDmatch story

Background

After my time as Deputy Medical Director, I needed to undertake specific clinical training which was not available within my own Trust. Although the study days were widely advertised, it took me a year to find an accessible course. The process proved complicated and frustrating with some websites showing multiple expired courses.

It should have been so simple; decide what Continuing Professional Development (CPD) I needed, discuss with my appraiser, include in my Personal Development Plan, apply, undertake and reflect. So why was it so difficult and how widespread is the problem of healthcare professionals not being able to find CPD relevant to their needs?

Most healthcare professionals are required to undertake CPD and ensure they remain up-to-date and revalidate. Responsibility lies jointly with both healthcare professionals and employers and high quality, relevant education should be undertaken to benefit the individual, team, employer, patients and healthcare sector.

I therefore created an online survey which revealed 70% of 270 respondents (mainly doctors and nurses) missed educational opportunities through lack of awareness and 30% ‘panic booked’ for points/hours rather than content. 90% wished to undertake CPD closer to home or electronically due to concerns over the effect of long-distance travel on the environment or to minimise time away from family or work.

Analysis

It soon became clear why these difficulties existed. On one ‘side’ there were hundreds of UK course providers; Royal Colleges, Associations, Societies, Trusts, Independent Education Providers, Pharmaceutical and Equipment Companies and on the other, 1.9 million healthcare professionals with specific needs based upon their profession, specialty and clinical interests.

These ‘sides’ are linked through marketing platforms, journals, bulletins, educational supplements, posters, unsolicited mail/emails and representatives. It became clear that these traditional, often expensive routes to market were not maximally effective and had not embraced the ability to reach potential attendees through developing technology. There was simply no single ‘go to place’ to find CPD.

Design

Following a year sketching out designs and structures for both web and mobile phone-based platforms, I spoke with potential users and course organisers and decided to produce a Progressive Web Application (PWA) to become the central repository for all UK healthcare CPD; free for all healthcare workers and NHS-associated course providers.

I sought advice from many organisations; the Regional Tech Centre, Newcastle-Gateshead Initiative, McCallan Marketing, Framework Designs, Sunderland Software City, Health Education England (Northeast and North Cumbria), The Innovation Agency, Scale Up Northeast and the Royal College of Anaesthetists. It is with the resultant encouragement and support that CPDmatch® was created.

Although software development was largely self-funded, additional support was received from GX18, Health Education England (North East and North Cumbria) and Scale Up North East. The platform was built by Framework Design Agency (https://www.weareframework.co.uk/) overseen by the Healthcare Communications Agency, McCallan Marketing (https://mccallanmarketing.com/).

Access and Equality

CPDmatch® is based on an ethos of improved accessibility, equality and sustainability and although there are many unique features, functionality is underpinned by a system of filters. A course is first listed within one or more categories based upon targeted professions, specialties and interests. This enables the site to match the course to the correct individuals based upon course content.

Course location, timing, cost and ‘type’ (onsite/electronic) filters are set by the user to narrow down the search and ensure only relevant, accessible and affordable CPD opportunities are displayed. These filters ensure the platform works for all healthcare professions especially those who choose or cannot afford to travel long distances or stay in hotels.

CPDmatch® is consistent with the vision of the NHS Long-term and Interim People Plan by supporting the development of healthcare staff and cross specialty topics such as environment, simulation, innovation, patient safety, research and life support are accessible to all. Educational opportunities for home carers are included with the goal of reducing admissions associated with common community challenges.

Flexibility

Some healthcare professionals regularly check for opportunities whilst others adopt a more passive approach. We have therefore provided both browse facilities alongside the ability to save searches to ensure users receive app and email notifications when new courses are listed with enough time available to book leave or organise shifts. Desktop computer access is easily utilised during appraisal if required.

CPDmatch® does not ‘judge’ course content and accreditation remains the remit of professional bodies. We welcome listings from all providers, NHS, non-NHS and corporate bodies who provide CPD as an addition to their primary business. We do not produce or endorse CPD but act as a hub, filter and conduit between providers and users. No changes are required to existing websites or booking management systems.

Sustainability

Geographic matching, inclusion of electronic CPD and course sharing will reduce the financial and environmental cost of undertaking external education. Demand driven venue planning will be facilitated through hotspot mapping whilst carbon cost calculators will guide both organisers and attendees in making the best decisions relating to sustainable attendance.

The CPDmatch® team are delighted to welcome you to our platform which we are confident will produce a positive impact for so many staff, employers, course providers, patients and the NHS.

Richard Hixson FRCA FFICM 24-1-2020