Continuing Professional Development for Doctors
In Australia and in New Zealand doctors who are members, fellows, or trainees of the Colleges of General Practitioners can claim credits for Balint work in their postgraduate continuing medical education and peer review programmes. The requirements for claiming these credits in Australia and New Zealand respectively are below.
Other health practitioners should apply to their respective professional organisations to credit Balint work in their professional development programmes. The Society will provide documentation and assistance in crediting Balint work, please apply to the Board secretary, Hilary Ash hilarya@netspace.net.au
Australia
Balint group participants are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Quality Improvement & CPD Programme for GPs in Australia. Participants qualify for three types of points through the RACGP.
1. Category 1 points
Small Group Learning. 40 points per Small Group Learning Cycle of at least 8 hours. Participants in ongoing Balint groups may gain points for more than one Small Group Learning Cycle within a Triennium. The small group needs to hold an orientation and planning meeting, register through the state QI&CPD unit, undertake the program, hold a review meeting to reflect on the outcomes of the group, and complete a review form. Participants in an ongoing Balint group may undertake more than one Small Group Learning Cycle.
2. Category 2 points
2 points per hour. This would apply to GPs who are unable to participate in a minimum of the 8 hours required for each Small Group Learning Cycle. The organiser needs to apply to the state QI@CPD unit for point allocation unless the provider is an endorsed or accredited provider. The RACGP adjudicates the application. There is a cap of 30 points per triennium for each type of Category 2 activity.
3. Mental health points
Category 1 points may be designated as Mental Health Points for GPs who have registered to access mental health MBS items. The education provider must be prepared to substantiate that at least 50% of cases discussed have mental health diagnoses (broadly defined) – in practice, this seems to be the case. Mental health points need to be requested on the Category 1 application form.
New Zealand
General practitioners can claim CME and Peer Review points through the MOPS program of the New Zealand Medical Council and/or the RNZCGP.
Workshop attendances can be credited through the Goodfellow Unit, Auckland University, (contact: Selena Armstrong selena.armstrong@auckland.ac.nz) which is a registered MOPS provider, or by application directly to the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.
Peer review groups must be registered with the College of General Practitioners MOPS programme by the group leader or leaders. One peer review point may be claimed per hour of group participation.
GP Registrars on the NZ Medical Council GPEP 2 programme are also eligible for CME and Peer Review points for participation in Balint groups and workshops.