Staying up to date with the latest

“So, how do you actually stay up to date?”

It’s the question that gets tossed around in corridors, during handover, or maybe when you’re halfway through a case and realise, “Wait... when did that guideline change?”

If you're juggling clinical work, family, study, maybe a bit of a social life (or at least a Netflix binge), keeping up with medical research can feel like a full-time job in itself. And then there's your CPD. Another requirement, another thing on the to-do list. But here's the secret: staying on top of research and knocking out your CPD points don’t have to be two separate things. They can actually work together.

You don’t need 25 new strategies. What you need is a system that actually fits your life. Let’s talk about how to build one.

Start where you're already spending time.

You’re already reading papers — at least occasionally. Maybe you’re scrolling through Medscape on a break or clicking that NEJM email highlight you swore you were going to ignore. Those summaries? That counts. Whether it's podcasts on your commute, a quick scan through a newsletter, or catching a tweet from a leading researcher — it’s all valuable, so just take a few extra seconds to put it into your CPD Home portfolio.

The trick is curating it. Instead of relying on chance, try setting up Google Scholar alerts for topics you care about. Use platforms like DynaMed or UpToDate, which actually synthesize the research for you and point out what's clinically relevant. Less noise, more signal.

And yes — journals. Subscribing to one or two solid ones (you don’t need them all) gives you a consistent flow of peer-reviewed updates. Often they will send you their Table of Contents for each edition, so it’s easyEven better if you use reference managers like Zotero or Mendeley to keep track of what you’ve read. That way, when you need to document CPD, it’s right there.

CPD isn’t just about the checkbox — it’s about building habits.

One of the easiest ways to make CPD less painful is to integrate it into what you're already doing. Are you involved in a journal club? Teaching interns? Leading a case review? That’s all gold for reflective practice.

And if you’re not? No problem. Jump into a webinar on your lunch break, or listen to a clinical podcast on the treadmill. "The Clinical Problem Solvers," "NEJM This Week," or your college's own CPD modules — they all count. And they’re all built to be portable.

Online communities like ResearchGate might sound like another thing to manage, but a quick post, a question to the group, or reading a discussion thread can offer new research insights — and again, count toward CPD. Same with conferences, whether in-person or virtual. It’s not just about collecting points; it’s about staying sharp and connected.

Let the tech do the heavy lifting.

Look, the volume of research out there is ridiculous. You’re not going to read it all. (No one is.)

This is where AI tools like Semantic Scholar or even newer integrations with clinical software can help. They're designed to filter the firehose down to a stream that’s relevant to your practice. Set it up once, and let the information come to you.

Likewise, aggregators like ClinicalTrials.gov or the Cochrane Library are great if you’re looking for something more in-depth. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses, especially, are worth their weight — they give you a birds-eye view without needing to read 20 different individual studies.

Don’t forget the power of people.

Honestly? Some of the best CPD moments come from peer discussions — in handover, in journal clubs, or just bouncing ideas off a colleague over coffee. If you’re stuck, those conversations can open up new lines of thought or flag research you missed. These are ideal to capture using Scratch-notes in your Osler portfolio.

And if you're ever tempted to get more involved, consider peer reviewing articles or collaborating on research. It's a fantastic way to stay ahead of emerging data and contribute to the profession.

Final thought: it’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing enough, consistently.

No one expects you to read every new study or chase every guideline update the moment it drops. But staying current — and hitting your CPD goals — doesn’t have to feel like a scramble.

Set up your systems. Use the tech. Join the conversations. Pick one or two reliable sources. Make sure you document it in real time.

And remember, this isn’t just about ticking off requirements — it’s about sharpening your practice and caring for your patients in the best way possible.

And hey — if you’re doing that while walking the dog or between patients or during a quiet evening scroll? That counts. It all counts.