CPD PDSA guide
A blank, fillable template for running a Plan-Do-Study-Act quality improvement cycle in your practice. Includes pre-planning guidance, data collection tables, CPD logging guidance and team role assignments.
This template gives your practice team a structured document for running a PDSA cycle on any clinical or administrative topic. It covers the full cycle from pre-planning through to CPD submission, with blank sections your team fills in as you go.
The template follows the Model for Improvement used by the RACGP and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). It starts with the thinking part (the three questions that generate your goal, measures and change ideas), then moves into the doing part: Plan, Do, Study, Act.
A well-structured PDSA typically generates 5 to 9 hours of CPD across Educational Activities (EA), Reviewing Performance (RP) and Measuring Outcomes (MO) categories. All participating GPs can claim hours.
The three questions to answer before starting your PDSA cycle: What are we trying to accomplish? How will we know a change is an improvement? What changes can we make? Includes SMART goal setting and data tool guidance.
Blank fillable sections for each stage: Plan (aims, data collection approach), Do (meeting schedule, action tracking), Study (analysis and reflections), Act (changes to embed). Structured prompts guide your team through each stage.
CPD hours breakdown table, team role assignments (GP lead, practice manager, nurse, reception), reflective practice sections for RACGP domains and submission guidance for the RACGP CPD portal.
A well-structured PDSA typically generates 5 to 9 CPD hours depending on the topic and depth of the cycle. Hours are allocated across RACGP CPD categories.
Education sessions, reading materials and clinical guidelines reviewed as part of the PDSA preparation and planning phase.
Data extractions, audit results and benchmarking against peers or targets. Comparing what you planned with what actually happened.
PDSA documentation, meeting minutes and outcome data analysis. This is the core measurement stage of the improvement cycle.
CPD for the whole team without leaving the practice
Team building with defined roles and visible progress
Quality of care improvements through data-driven review
Ready-made accreditation evidence for RACGP Standards
PIP QI alignment when presented to your local PHN
This PDSA template is free for Australian GP practices.