CPD Workshops

[Nev]

Following on from postings in the massage section, what is the general feeling on compulsory CPD attendance for therapists?

Personally I am strongly in favour of them.

The arguments for are: refresh things that you may forget; learn new skills;update new techniques/information; confidence for your clients

Arguments against: cost; time consuming....any more?

 

[Morgillock]

Hi Richard
Personally I am definitely in favour of CPD. I appreciate that there are some very skilled therapists whose initial training was good, and who don't really gain much benefit from attending CPD courses. But my experience of such courses is that there are also some relatively poorly trained therapists who can really benefit from attending a course or workshop with a good tutor. I have frequently been surprised by just how many qualified therapists apparently haven't been taught the importance of a correct working posture or the need to have the couch low enough to ensure that their massage is effective.
Also, as a sole practitioner, I find CPD courses a good way of meeting other therapists: I have been on CPD courses where I have learnt relatively little new from the tutor but have benefited from the experience of other students on the course.
And, as an extreme example, I think that someone who took an ITEC/VTCT five or six years ago and has subsequently taken time away from massage is quite likely to need a couple of CPD 'refresher' courses.

Regards

Alan

 

[infinite crisis 247]

As part of my training and association membership I'm required to be "MOT'd" every 2 years. It gives me confidence that I haven't strayed off the path, gives my clients confidence that I'm up to scratch and lets me learn new things.

On the downside of compulsion I came from an industry that had compulsory CPD & it deteriorated into a points system and people attending all sorts of strange things just to pick up a CPD certificate for their file. I think it can and is open to abuse - but how would you police it and who would pay?

LOL

FBx