COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF A STAKEHOLDERS WORKSHOP ON CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZED BY THE MEDICAL & DENTAL COUNCIL OF NIGERIA AT YAR’ ADUA CENTRE ABUJA ON THE 26TH & 27TH OF JULY, 2007.
PREAMBLE
In recognition of the fact that one of the hallmarks of Professionalism is continuous training & re-training, and given that skills, knowledge & technology keep changing in today’s world so rapidly that any professional who ignores this soon becomes obsolete & irrelevant, the MDCN at various times in the past tried to provide Continuous Professional Development Programme to Nigerian Doctors. In 2001 and 2003 the introduction of CPD by the MDCN failed.
The 1990 MDCN act, though amended in 2004, is yet to capture the need for Continued Professional development by Medical & Dental Practitioners in Nigeria.
A stakeholders workshop on CPD was therefore held at the Shehu Yar’Ardua centre on the 26th & 27th of July 2007. In attendance were participants from all over the Country representing the Academia, Teaching & Specialist Hospitals, International agencies & partners, legislators, Military and Police personnel, NGOs, Private sector organizations, Consultants, General practitioners, sister professional regulatory bodies, and the media among others. This was pursuant to a resolution of the board of the MDCN during the 9th plenary meeting held on Thursday, 7th of Dec. 2006 at Parkview Hotel, Abuja.
Addressing the participants at the opening ceremony, Senate President, David Bonaventure Mark represented by Senator (Dr) Oloruninbe Mamora decried the poor Doctor-Patient ratio in Nigeria and reiterated the importance of CPD in promoting the quality of Medical care in Nigeria. He therefore charged participants to come up with innovative, viable & sustainable Programmes for medical & Dental practitioners in Nigeria. He pledged the support of the National Assembly in providing an enabling environment & necessary funds to strengthen the MDCN in its regulatory role.
It was the general consensus at the meting that there was the need to bridge gaps and update professional knowledge on a continuing basis and help ensure that evidence based medical practice, aided by the latest technology is embraced to improve the quality of care to the Citizens.
The meeting deliberated on several issues related to the design, implementation and evaluation of CPD Programmes and came up with some suggestions on the way forward.
STRUCTURE/ADMINISTRATIVE SET UP
The workshop recommends a centralized CPD unit at the MCDN headquarters that will include among others regulatory, certification, accreditation, and M&E units.
2. CREDIT UNITS
Participants recommended a systemic review of undergraduate Medical Education to accommodate new trends in ICT, Business Management, Medical ethics, Health Economics enterpreneuralship development among others. This will serve as a good foundation for CPD after graduation.
It was however noted that the MDCN will establish a CPD accreditation committee that will review the content, duration & scope of each Programme with a view to allocating appropriate credit units.
MDCN recommends 36 CME units of 36 hrs every 2 years according to modalities. However, appropriate mechanisms should put in place to divide these units should vary according to the needs of the practitioners to be designed by the MDCN.
3. ACCREDITION OF PROGRAMMES/ PROVIDER CENTRES
It was agreed among participants that Accreditation must be completed at most 6 months before the year of validity or implementation of the course, given that there should be flexibility and allowance made for substitution should a problem arise with any of the courses.
A system must be put in place to ensure thematic approach to reflect doctors need as well as community needs. One common area where Medical & Dental Practitioners should as a matter of necessity be acquainted with the requisite skills is in Information & Communication Technology, as this will enhance their chances of fully taking part in CPD courses that may be delivered through the internet. This will also boost their chances of participating in Regional or cross border CPD courses involving West African and other countries following the necessary assessment
It was further agreed that the proposed MDCN established accreditation committee will assess and accredit all CPD Programmes using applicable guidelines for the purposes of certification.
4. CERTIFICATION
It was agreed that the accredited MDCN Programme organizers will issue certificates of Participation to attendees, while the Council will use accumulated credits as the basis for renewal of Professional license. The MDCN will apply sanctions including non-renewal of license and prosecution under the law for doctors who may practice without a renewed license. Institutions where the defaulting practitioners work may also be sanctioned to ensure they employ Practitioners with current License.
5. FINANCE
The major cost of the program should be borne by stakeholders in the health sector like the HMOs, Pharmaceutical firms, National & International agencies & NGOs, Hospitals and Government at all levels, etc. Government in particular should make improved budgetary provisions in support of CPD to the MDCN.
Sponsorship of CPD by partners, corporate bodies and other stakeholders can reduce the cost of participation by medical & dental practitioners, thereby increasing compliance.
Providers of CPD will pay accreditation fees to the MDCN in an acceptable ratio.
6. LEGAL FRAMEWORK
As noted earlier, the 1990 MDCN act as amended in 2004 is silent on CPD and deficiency must be corrected through appropriate legislation to strengthen the hand of MDCN in the implementation of its CPD Agenda and application of Sanctions.
Although the above enabling law placed the responsibilities for regulation of the practice of Medicine in Nigeria on the MDCN, it needs to be further strengthened with additional provisions on CPD.
7. Participants expressed delight with attendance at this event, and congratulated the MDCN for this laudable step in the right direction.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNIQUÉ WRITING COMMITTEE
- Prof. Akin Osibogun--- Chairman
- Prof. M C Asuzu
- Dr. A. A. Ibrahim
- Dr. S. S. Sule
- Dr Olayinka Abosede – Rapporteur
- Ms Victoria Taiwo Obasaju-Ayo - Rapporteur
- Mr. Emma Oriakhi – Health Living Communication
- Dr. John Onyeokoro -------Secretary
MEMBERS OF THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE