Beating Procrastination and Burnout: Making CPD Work for You in 2025
For many doctors, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) becomes a last-minute scramble as deadlines loom. Recent data from Osler revealed that nearly 26% of CPD activities are logged in the final two months of the year. It’s a common cycle of procrastination, but one that can lead to stress and burnout.
The good news? There are ways to break the cycle and make CPD more manageable, even enjoyable. Here’s how you can set yourself up for CPD success in 2025.
Start with a Plan
The key to beating procrastination is to start early, and a great place to begin is with your Personal Career Development Plan (PCDP). By setting clear objectives at the start of the year, you’ll have a roadmap to guide your learning. Use the SMART format—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—to create actionable goals. Identify significant learning opportunities, such as conferences, that can cover large portions of your CPD requirements efficiently.
Medical conferences can be stimulating, entertaining and social - and you can get a large chunk of your CPD done quickly
Set Achievable Goals
CPD often feels overwhelming because the total requirements seem too large. Break it into smaller, manageable chunks. Instead of thinking about completing dozens of hours, plan to do just one hour of CPD per week. With this steady pace, you’ll make consistent progress without feeling burdened. Setting realistic deadlines along the way will also help you stay on track.
Make CPD Work for You
It’s much easier to stay motivated when your CPD aligns with your interests. Choose activities that genuinely resonate with your clinical passions or personal goals. Engaging with content you find meaningful can transform CPD from a task into a rewarding experience.
Weave CPD into Your Day
Rather than viewing CPD as a separate activity, try integrating it into your daily routine. Listen to podcasts on your commute, document learning from ward rounds, or attend webinars during lunch breaks. Tools like Osler Scratchnotes make it easy to log what you’ve learned on the go, and activities such as documenting procedures or logging multidisciplinary meetings can quickly add up.
Regularly Review Your Progress
Scheduling regular progress checks throughout the year can prevent the dreaded year-end scramble. Set reminders for yourself at key intervals—such as one, three, six, and eleven months—to review and log your CPD activities. Use these moments to reflect on what you’ve accomplished and ensure nothing claimable has been overlooked.
Work Together
CPD doesn’t have to be a solo effort. Partner with colleagues to hold each other accountable or plan group activities, such as attending conferences together. Dedicating time to discuss and document learnings after meetings can also make CPD feel more collaborative and less isolating.
Working together can make CPD more achievable, efficient and enjoyable
Reframe Your Mindset
One of the most effective ways to overcome procrastination is to shift how you view CPD. Rather than seeing it as a chore, consider how it can enhance your practice, improve patient care, and contribute to your personal growth. When you value the process, you’re more likely to prioritize it.
Leverage Technology
Modern tools can make CPD much easier to manage. Apps and platforms like Osler streamline the process by offering automated tracking and reminders. They can even log activities automatically as you complete modules, quizzes, or readings, reducing the risk of missing anything important.
Tackle Challenging Activities Early
Some CPD tasks, such as Measuring Outcomes (MO) and Reviewing Performance (RP), are notoriously challenging to achieve. Start planning these activities as soon as possible. Collaborate with colleagues to design projects like audits or policy development, and assess how many workplace evaluations you’ll need throughout the year.
Be Kind to Yourself
Finally, remember that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Procrastination happens, and beating yourself up over it won’t help. Focus on small, actionable steps to regain momentum. Treat yourself with compassion, and celebrate the progress you make along the way.
By starting early, breaking tasks into manageable pieces, and using these strategies, you can take control of your CPD in 2025. Not only will you avoid the stress of last-minute efforts, but you might even find new ways to enjoy the process.