Continuing Professional Development
The Medical Oncology Group of Australia encourages its members to continue their professional development in oncology related activities through the Oncology Specific Maintenance of Professional Standards Program (OSMOPS).
This program was designed originally to mirror the continuing professional development program of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). The RACP program has recently undergone significant changes and will be changing completely to MyCPD as of 2010. However, the OSMOPS program will continue to operate as previously until further notice.
Implemented in 1998, as a voluntary program for MOGA members to continue to participate in continuing educational activities, OSMOPS provides recognition of these achievements. The program awards recognition based on continuing education post medical school and advanced training. This continuing education is vital for clinicians to continually improve their care by providing the highest standards of clinical practice and patient care. OSMOPS is a quality assurance program which can also be utilised beyond the clinic for employment and medical defence.
The Program is structured as individual five year rolling cycles in which continuing medical education activities in oncology are self reported by participants annually to the Association. Points are rewarded for time spent in various oncology education activities and accumulated throughout the five year cycle. Points are awarded in three main categories, including: continuing education, teaching / research and quality assurance. Once a member has achieved the minimum number of points required in the five year period, a certificate of completion is awarded.
