“A Twitter Epiphany”
For those of you who attended my presentation, eCPD – Sink or Swim, at CSP Congress this year you might be interested in this article which follows on from our ‘Smart Networks’ conversation.
So we talked about my top tips for preventing information overload and #5, build a smart network, was identified as being key to gathering information that meets your knowledge needs from like minded individuals, leaders and ‘filters’. Starting out with building a ‘Smart Network’ is daunting. How will you find those that can provide information to meet your knowledge needs? Will they converse with you? Will you be overloaded with information? And, what’s the point anyway?? Well this article by Mark Rosenberg may boost your confidence and encourage you to make a start building your smart network.
Have fun and remember…. relax!!
A Successful CSP Congress
With CSP Congress over again for another year it’s back to the office to reflect on the weekend. Liverpool, the CSP and the Bootleg Beetles did another great job again this year. There was some good programming with Alastair Campbell giving the Founders Lecture and giving us an insight into his previous mental health problems. The exhibition hall was very well arranged this year and there always seemed to be a great vibe in the room, especially when the wine was flowing at the Friday evening drinks reception. I particularly enjoyed watching Anne Moore get the dance floor going, well done Anne!!
I was honoured to be invited by Kirsty Hyndes, leader of the Education strand, to give two presentations this year. The first, my platform presentation on Physiopedia, was very well received. Many questions were asked and ideas bounced around the room during questions and I am particularly grateful to Anne Green, chair of the CSP, for her very kind words of support for this project.
My second presentation entitled “eCPD – Sink or Swim” also received a good reception with many people feeding back that they had learnt from the presentation and were now keen to ‘take the plunge!!’
I would also just like to thank the two people that came up to me after my second presentation to suggest that I teach how to prepare and give presentations!! For letting me know that my presentations were your favourite over the two days of CSP Congress is a compliment that I will never forget, thank you!!
Get yourself noticed
Having written about increasing ones profile by improving web presence on the Physiopedia Blog recently I began wondering why we should bother? It does appear to be a rather indulgent activity to those who don’t participate in this kind of self promotional on-line activity, and let’s face it, most physiotherapists are far too busy to have the spare time. However it does certainly have great professional benefits (as long as it is kept professional!):
- publishing your CV may lead to additional and alternative work opportunities
- the same can be said for publicising your research and expertise in a specific clinical area
- both of which in turn may lead to increasing numbers on your client list
- not to mention being able to share your thoughts and ideas with the rest of our profession
- also, making new contacts with colleagues who you wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to meet
- and becoming involved in more global discussions relating to your work
The last two points are very much true of my experience having placed myself in the public eye when I took up blogging and tweeting. I have met like minded colleagues all over the world and become involved in various projects with people that I have never actually met in person. It is a truly fascinating and sometimes quite liberating experience. So, if you have something to share or a wish to collaborate with like minded colleagues get out there and get on-line! You could start a blog, join us tweeting, or look for somewhere to publicise your work , maybe even start your own website. As long as you are motivated enough to keep it going, go out there and get yourself noticed, you won’t look back.
The CPD Process
The CPD process that we have looked at is a planned and cyclical process. If it has not been formally completed before the process can be started with a needs assessment following which it becomes an ongoing process. Needs assessments should also be completed at regular intervals, such as annually, to ensure that you are continually developing. It must not be forgotten that unplanned learning experiences can occur at any time and additionally contribute to your professional development.
Implement you learning
So far we have looked at how following any learning experience you should reflect on that experience, learn from it,
record it and evidence it. Now, and most importantly, you need to implement this new learning into your practice. Time to try out that new technique, integrate that new piece of research, incorporate your new understanding of a condition. Ideally you will have been able to apply evidence to this new learning which you will also be able to integrate.This brings us onto the topic of evidence based practice, but we’ll talk about that later!
By implementing your new learning into your work you will create another learning experience from which you can again reflect and perhaps create new learning or learning needs for you to continue your professional development.