Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Beats — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 05:41:51 GMT

Can I just ask the hive if anyone experienced difficulty adding CPD information for 2023 to complete their AP revalidation this year, and if so how easily this was resolved? I did want to revalidate, but am wondering if 24 days remaining to deadline has left it too late for this year.

1CPD (on which the CPD must be logged for AP revalidation) now appears to lock and prevent addition of further information for a previous year.

The 2024 revalidation guidelines suggest that:

"You will be able to enter CPD records retrospectively and the system allows you to annotate your records where appropriate"

...

"If you are unable to amend your CPD activities for the previous year’s, please contact cpd@rcvs.org.uk"

...

On emailing that address, I get:

"Thank you for contacting the CPD team. We aim to respond to your query within 3 business days. Please note we are currently experiencing a high volume of queries, so responses may take longer than usual."

...

"1. How do I record CPD for 2023?

Select the “Record” feature in 1CPD and then type in your activity details as normal, ensuring that you have typed in the correct date (including the correct year). This will ensure that your activity is added to the correct CPD year. Once you have recorded an activity for 2023 it will appear in the drop down menu on the home page."

...

"3. When is the deadline for recording CPD each year?

The CPD year runs from January until the end of December. Vets are required to record 35 hours of CPD, while Vet Nurses are required to record 15 hours. You will need to reflect on your CPD in order to be compliant. You have until 28 th February to finish recording your CPD for the previous year."

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Michael Woodhouse — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 20:33:20 GMT

[quote userid="5408" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/30974/should-i-give-up-my-advanced-practitioner-status/245483#245483"]I have emailed them back protesting my displeasure at such a short-sighted view and I should be told now whether they will accept my total external hours before I waste any more time and spend money on this re-application. Saying it depends on the discretion of the panel is not good enough in my opinion.[/quote]

They are real vets who hold the same designation assessing you, so I think you will be just fine.

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

David Bentley — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 17:08:50 GMT

Sorry to re-open this thread, but I decided to try and get re-accredited for my AP in Small Animal Dermatology and my application has to be in by the end of October. I do get many referrals and second opinions, work in my 100% dermatology practice, but would still want the kudos of the AP status as some recognition that I have kept up to date and done more CPD than the average vet. Also, as I take second opinions for clients who wish to self-refer (you would not believe the number of vets who just keep on dishing out the pred/Apoquel/Cytopoint etc , with poor results and don't even consider referral, so their clients eventually come to me in desperation) I think the AP status carries some weight with them.

I have spent hours getting my CPD record on 1 CPD in a good state and only just realized that in 2020 and 2021 my "external" CPD was only 3 hours in total. For the 5 years, to be used for my re-application, I've got 275 hours CPD in total and 102 hours in total for "external", but after emailing the RCVS on whether you have to do at least 10 hours EVERY year as external (which can include forum discussions) as well as meetings, congresses etc) or whether its the total over 5 years (50 hours) that matters, they confirmed that its 10 hours EVERY year. They were SO KIND to reduce it to only 7 hours in 2020 and kept it at 10 hours for 2021, even though in Dermatology at least, there were no UK or international meetings or congresses.

I was told that it would be "up to the discretion" of the panel as to whether to take into account the other years when 2020 and 2021 were falling so short on the external element.

Does anyone else here think that the RCVS is run/staffed by automatons who do not live in the real world?

I have emailed them back protesting my displeasure at such a short-sighted view and I should be told now whether they will accept my total external hours before I waste any more time and spend money on this re-application. Saying it depends on the discretion of the panel is not good enough in my opinion.

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Suzie Badham — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 11:02:13 GMT

i did reaccredit this time but it was a huge faff, cost lots of money and time and is not really adding any discernible benefit to me at present. Lots of box ticking for external CPD and needing to show application for clinical governance as well as getting the requisite number of hours CPD. The cost is very high for very little benefit - i wonder if it just pays the other vets who are reading my application and approving it.

I never even got a pay rise for my AP from my corporate the first time round. i do have an emotional attachment to the status and have worked hard for it, but not enough to really justify the £630 over 5 years. I guess next time it comes around I'll do it if my employer pays - if I have one!

Application: covers application process and assessment (does not include annual listing fee)	£105
Annual fee paid by direct debit	£105

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Cool — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 17:41:26 GMT

I gave mine up when I was a clinical director. I was just too busy and I was not sure it was of any benefit to me at that stage of my career. I definitely do not need it now. I have worked with you and I am of the opinion that you can give it up provided you can overcome your emotional attachment to it

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Anthony Dennison — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 16:56:42 GMT

I looked into it when I got my CertAVP(SAM) 7 years ago. Too much paperwork, would have to pay to apply and might get rejected and then have to pay again. Why bother? I still am getting local referrals through to me and helping my vets work things up, all I need.

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Victoria Isherwood — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 19:35:27 GMT

I worked for a cert, not AP status. I also didn’t renew mine as was of no benefit to me. I still have my cert though, they can’t take that away.

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Kate Richardson — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 11:24:21 GMT

Similar here- got my MANZCVS cert too many years ago that I care to remember...got automatic AP status initially when it came out but then didnt bother renewing as didn't want to jump through the hoops of doing the A or B section or whatever it is- have to pay Australian college each year as it is and I decided it didn't add anything to my 'status'

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

jane alexander — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 10:19:15 GMT

I am allowing mine to lapse, although proud to have been a holder and even more proud of my CertVA, (achieved early in the development of certificates, and when it was not expected to achieve it within general practice.)

cost and lack of 'value' within the client community.

Jane A

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Lucy Fleming — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 17:17:02 GMT

When I got my feline medicine MANZCVS a few years ago, I was entitled to apply for AP status but decided it seemed like too much in the way of fees/ CPD recording requirements to even bother in the first place (but then again, I'm in GP and not taking on "referral" type work so probably less reward than others...)

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Alasdair Hotston Moore — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 23:12:47 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/30974/should-i-give-up-my-advanced-practitioner-status/244870#244870"]like £25/person. Two people look and either recommend approval or RCVS review. Most should look at the requirements and tick all the boxes, so I don't understand where all the other cost comes in? Be very happy paying £105 every 5 years.[/quote]

So why do I have to pay something every year as well as a re accreditation fee every 5 years?

and I don’t know how many people don’t renew. I susie t many don’t hiwever

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Michael Woodhouse — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 22:26:23 GMT

Sorry, Alasdair Hotston Moore, by "renewal rate" I meant how many of those who gain AP status maintain it for a second or subsequent 5-year period.

My wife is an assessor for sheep AP status and gets something like £25/person. Two people look and either recommend approval or RCVS review. Most should look at the requirements and tick all the boxes, so I don't understand where all the other cost comes in? Be very happy paying £105 every 5 years.

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Alasdair Hotston Moore — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 19:39:06 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/30974/should-i-give-up-my-advanced-practitioner-status/244866#244866"]It seems a shame to me that people have already, or are thinking about, giving up their AP status; It must be something you have all worked hard for, and ought to be able to be proud of it[/quote]

Yes and yes. It’s a shame. We should be proud but no one notices and we can use our post noms regardless

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Alasdair Hotston Moore — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 19:37:40 GMT

Something like £105

[quote userid="3169" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/30974/should-i-give-up-my-advanced-practitioner-status/244860#244860"]I'd be really interested to hear what the renewal rate is[/quote]

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Clive Ansell — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 14:16:25 GMT

It seems a shame to me that people have already, or are thinking about, giving up their AP status; It must be something you have all worked hard for, and ought to be able to be proud of it.

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Babs Ingram — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 10:29:25 GMT

My husband and I both became APs when they were launched (Matt in surgery, I’m a cardiologist) but then didn’t renew as we couldn’t be bothered to jump through all the hoops that were required, and didn’t want to pay for something that didn’t seem to have any benefits.

That was a few years ago now and we haven’t noticed any difference in terms of client perception of us and referrals to us. But maybe that’s because we are older and established at our practice?!

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 23:10:11 GMT

I let mine lapse. No one seemed to care or understand what it meant. I do completely understand the application/5 year assessment fee (the cost shouldn't be met by all members), but what the justification is for the £105/year - I have no idea.

I see a LOT of people I know have dropped off the list. I'd be really interested to hear what the renewal rate is.

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Alasdair Hotston Moore — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 17:19:29 GMT

I feel old enough at the end of a surgical list these days

I feel an emotional attachment to it but more so to the FRCVS. But why that costs anything each year is entire,y obscure to me

[quote userid="12375" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/30974/should-i-give-up-my-advanced-practitioner-status/244850#244850"]

Who are you trying to attract with the AP status?

You are (just about) old enough to be in the bracket of highly experienced and capable VS,

[/quote]

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Alasdair Hotston Moore — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 17:16:17 GMT

I argued for this when I was with Medivet. Not sure I was listened to

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

David Bentley — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 16:58:06 GMT

Been thinking the same myself. I have to apply for re-accreditation in October and I have no be honest I’m unsure if my official CPD hours will be enough, even though I go to all BVDSG meetings and ESVD congresses, World Congress this July and read a lot. The problem is with the reading element being recorded every time I read a journal etc and the self reflection process… I have failed to record it as life gets in the way.

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

David Mills — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 15:20:22 GMT

Think it's probably ripe for overhaul with the discussions going on about career pathways - I've never really considered it, as Alastair says it means little to the clients, and I don't really see it as a 'thing' in the profession personally. It seems a bit of a needless tag on to certificates which isn't needed. Isn't recertification just a case of listing more CPD than the standard?

You could of course do a trial of letting it lapse and see whether there is any discernable effect on income or cases (we all know the answer to that one).

Certs themselves should probably be looked at - I find it odd that one can gain a surgery cert for instance without any practical supervised or examined element, in the end the exams and synoptics come down to a final year oral exam which cannot possibly pass a practical skill. I've seen some wonderful non-cert and cert-holder surgeons and some god awful cert holder surgeons. Considering if you pay enough for the GPCert and BSAVA cert you are pretty much guaranteed to pass anyway and it's all just a bit silly really.

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Beats — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 12:49:02 GMT

If you work for a corporate it may entitle you to a higher CPD allowance. Probably not relevant, but thought worth mentioning as I suspect that is main potential benefit to younger vets with AP status.

RE: Should I give up my Advanced Practitioner status

Alastair Welch — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 11:40:14 GMT

Who are you trying to attract with the AP status?

You are (just about) old enough to be in the bracket of highly experienced and capable VS, seeking and accepting referral work without Specialist status or a relevant Diploma. I imagine that you are sent work because people want it to see you (based on reputation or personal connection) rather than seeking out a Specialist, and therefore I doubt the AP status adds anything. The Fellowship perhaps helps a bit but they are obviously handing these out fairly easily now, but if a RV or client were simply to seek someone with further relevant qualifications I would imagine they would simply seek out someone with a Dip or a Specialist.

I have worked with a lot of Specialists and Diploma holders (in Eq practice), some are outstanding, others less so.