Section 3 - Practice improvement

The aim of CPD Section 3 activities is to critically review your own or your service's practice. 

Section 3 activities involve deliberate implementation of change and a monitoring component.

You can complete Section 3 activities as an individual or as part of a group.

Does my activity qualify for Section 3?

An activity is likely to qualify if it ticks at least one of the following boxes:

• reviews, evaluates or analyses your performance or outcomes
• compares your performance or outcomes against evidence-based practice, clinical guidelines, standards, or peers
• uses a systematic approach, for example, Plan – Do – Study – Act, to review processes or outcomes
• involves research or investigation to improve learning and development
• provides insights into your strengths or areas for improvement
• results in a measurable change in practice or outcomes.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 hours per CPD year.
• Sections 2 and 3 combined must total at least 23 hours per CPD year.
• If you exceed the required 23 combined hours, claim the additional hours in Section 4 at your discretion.

Section 3 activities are often completed over a long period of time. For example, an audit may involve researching and writing a plan in year one, have initial benchmarking in year two, followed by a review in year three or beyond. In this case, CPD hours can be claimed across multiple CPD years.

You must add a reflection in MyCPD detailing what you learned and how your findings will influence your psychiatric practice.