March 27, 2020
Maintaining your CPD whilst working remotely or self-distancing.
The challenges of social distancing, self-isolating and parenting children of school age mean that veterinary professionals are at home or working remotely. They have had CPD postponed or cancelled, but there is still a requirement to maintain CPD logs with the RCVS.
At MWI Animal Health, we have some helpful resources that can help you maintain your CPD during this time, these are listed below:
Learning Zone
The 'Learning Zone' from MWI can be found on our website and features self-serve how-to-guides, tutorials and videos for Merlin Practice Management System (PMS), Buying Group and Wholesale.
From discovering the features of the Buying Group members portal to tips on how to create a desktop shortcut in Merlin PMS or tutorials about how to place and order using MyCentaur, the Learning Zone has it all.
These videos will enhance your experience of our technology platforms, save you time and help you train new users. Or simply be a handy quick guide to refer to if you have forgotten ho to use a certain feature.
Click here to access the Learning Zone.
Securos Suture Tutor Plus
You can still practice your suturing techniques even if you are working remotely from your place of work. The Suture Tutor Plus hands-on kit from Securos Surgical can be used easily at home to practice suturing techniques which can count towards your CPD log. The kit contains the essentials for practicing suturing, knot tying, instrument handling and incision of skin. Use the kit as stand-alone teaching and practice tool or in conjunction with our Suture Tutor Plus Online learning course.
Click here for more information.
Merlin Manual
The Merlin Manual can be accessed through your Merlin PMS and is a great resource which has recently been updated to help you navigate through a little easier and quickly find the help you need. You can use the Merlin Manual to improve your skills when using the PMS and learn about additional features you didn't even know existed. The Merlin Manual can be easily accessed from home the same way you log on to Merlin.
Veterinary Prescriber
The key to prescribing excellence is independence. The Veterinary Prescriber is available to provide you with high-quality, independent, comparative information - providing busy veterinary professionals with the critical information you need to make treatment decisions. Rank up your CPD hours by taking part in their online modules and with testing your knowledge.
Click here to find out more.
CPD hours are important for veterinary staff. In such unusual circumstances, organisations have come together to ensure that you are still able to achieve the outlined requirements. Here are some of the other industry sources we have found:
SPVS-VMG:
The Veterinary Management Group (VMG), has offered three months free membership to all in order to support the veterinary profession during this time.
The VMG now holds a virtual café. This is somewhere you can talk to others within the profession, share stories and learn.
On the 22nd April 2020, they are also holding an online CVPM Preparation Workshop. Within this workshop, you will cover the overall concept and content of the CVPM. You will also receive advice regarding the exam, such as the presentation, how questions will be formatted and potential approaches to use. This will also allow you to engage remotely with members of the C&T committee, who are responsible for awarding the CVPM.
The British Veterinary Association
BVA has begun to host webinars using Zoom. This is to inform and educate veterinary staff about the current situation and best practice moving forward.
Other online courses can be found on the Vet Times website. They are displaying a range of different courses providing relevant content to boost your CPD hours. Courses include Emergency and Critical Care, ISFM Diploma in Feline Nursing, Dentistry for Nurses and many more.