Continuing professional development
Since joining social media for CPD purposes , I have been greeted with countless , rich opportunities , which I feel would be difficult to access and find if I didn ’ t use it .”
Continuing professional development
Feature
E
very two years , members of the occupational therapy profession face the possibility of being chosen to undertake the Health and Care Professions Council ( HCPC ) audit .
Each time you renew your HCPC registration , where you will be asked to sign a form to confirm you continue to meet its standards – including continual professional development ( CPD ) – 2.5 % of occupational therapists will be randomly selected from the register and asked to submit their CPD profile .
This can be a daunting , scary and anxious period and process for all members . I used to ask myself questions such as : Have I done enough ? Where do I find more opportunities ? What more could I do ?
To heighten matters further , it is also arguably evident that occupational therapists across health and social care and wider sectors , more than ever before , are working under increased pressures after the pandemic . Therefore , this is putting an increase demand on the profession and arguably limiting time , opportunities , and resources for CPD participation ( Hughes 2020 ).
I for one – due to limited time and both clinical commitments and pressures – have found myself becoming more creative and thinking ‘ outside the box ’ with both my CPD and the ways I find CPD opportunities .
So , how am I being creative with my CPD ? The answer to that question is social media engagement and the online professional community of occupational therapists .
Reflecting back
Social media is often referred to as ‘ numerous online platforms and / or communities where an individual can connect with others ’ ( RCOT 2019 ). Looking back as both a student and a newly qualified occupational therapist , I didn ’ t really understand the benefits and potential of using social media until I joined .
I had this perception , perhaps like many others do , that social media was just to chat and catch up with people . However , since joining my perception has changed from this , to it ’ s a place to learn , grow , reflect and network with wider members of the profession and other professionals .
I now use social media as a CPD tool to assist with my growth and development . If I had of known the potential of social media prior to qualifying in 2019 , I would have joined as a student occupational therapist , due to the growing opportunities , convenience and reassurance it can present and provide .
I feel it would have helped me access contemporary material , information and allowed me to network earlier on in my career .
So , at the beginning of 2023 , I wanted to share my reflections and highlight the benefits of using social media to student occupational therapists across the Northern and Yorkshire Region . I sent a presentation to all nine universities across the area to convey and promote consideration around joining the online professional community and to gain the benefits of using social media for CPD .
This was an important message for me to get across , especially as we continue to move into a more digital world and new ways of working .
Benefits to my CPD
Since joining social media for CPD purposes , I have been greeted with countless , rich opportunities , which I feel would be difficult to access and find if I didn ’ t use it . The key benefits for me have included identification of free courses , opportunities to join both local national projects , professional networking , job advertisements , updates of changes to best practice and policies , contemporary practice , research opportunities , voluntary roles and discussions around practice .
RCOT ( 2019 ) and Hughes ( 2020 ) further highlight that the use of social media can develop knowledge and skills , assisting in understanding service users ’ and public health needs , assist in developing leadership skills , help promote the profession and allow your voice to be heard through discussions and reflections .
One thing I really value about using social media is that I can use the platforms while I am on the go . I am sure you will agree that time is often of the essence ; I can easily access and read reflections and discussions and keep up to date with professional updates and changes , effortlessly .
Since joining social media for CPD purposes , I have been greeted with countless , rich opportunities , which I feel would be difficult to access and find if I didn ’ t use it .”
July 2023 OTnews 43