The app, which has been developed by the UK’s leading app developer Apadmi, allows doctors to easily record details of all of their CPD tasks, which they are required to carry out. This includes activities outside of undergraduate education or postgraduate training such as attending conferences and seminars or reading academic papers.
As doctors are obliged to keep their knowledge and skills up to date throughout their working lives, and are required to provide evidence of CPD in regular appraisals and revalidations, the app will help them to track and organise their learning and development.
Doctors will also be inspired to reflect on what they have learned as the app reminds them to review their entries after a set period. It also encourages doctors to put their lessons into practice, which is hoped will consequently improve patient outcomes.
In 2013, the GMC approved the principle of developing a mobile app to promote and support professional practice among doctors after research showed there was a gap in the market for a device to help doctors log their learning on the go. Existing mobile and web applications did not offer the same full range of features and advice. The concept of a comprehensive mobile app was developed with input from more than 120 doctors from different specialities, and at different stages of their careers.
Apadmi, based in Manchester, fought off bids from 18 rival companies in a public tender to win the contract to create GMC’s first CPD mobile and tablet app. A substantial team – including app developers, designers, user-experience experts and project managers – worked on the development of the app to ensure it will meet the needs of the target audience.
Howard Simms, co-founder and director at Apadmi, said: “This has been an exciting project to be involved with. As the UK’s independent regulator for doctors, the GMC is one of the biggest names in the healthcare sector and the fact that they've put their trust in us is very pleasing.
“We’re excited to have provided a solution to modernise how doctors manage their continuous professional development activities and, ultimately, improve patient care.”
The app, which works across Android and iOS mobile and tablet devices, is available to download at https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/gmc-my-cpd/id996370543?mt=8
For more information about Apadmi, visit www.apadmi.com
