This informal CPD article ‘Why AI belongs in your CPD this year (and how to get started)’ was provided by Michelle Guillemard, Founder of Health AI CPD, an organisation providing evidence-based training to help health professionals effectively integrate AI into their workplaces.
You wouldn’t let your clinical knowledge go years without an update – and in today’s AI-enabled world, the same goes for your digital skills.
AI is already being used in healthcare to draft patient handouts, summarise research, structure clinical notes and assist with admin. Whether or not you’re using AI tools, now is the time to start exploring how they fit into your daily practice.
The good news is you don’t need to be tech-savvy to get value. You just need a clear, cautious and confident approach.
Start small and low risk
Begin with non-clinical, low-stakes tasks. You might prompt AI to brainstorm ideas for a patient newsletter, help draft a summary of recent research or reword internal communications. Starting with familiar content gives you space to learn without pressure.
Use short, focused prompts
Instead of asking for help with a lengthy document or clinical summary, try simple instructions like:
- “List three tips for explaining a new diagnosis to patients.”
- “Summarise the key points from this paragraph using plain language.”
- “Give me a structure for a 5-minute presentation on [insert topic, e.g. chronic disease prevention].”
Clear, specific prompts lead to more helpful responses – and make it easier to assess the AI’s output critically.
Make it a habit to review everything
AI outputs should always be considered drafts. Double-check facts, edit for clarity and ensure content aligns with current evidence and local context. Developing a critical eye is part of building AI literacy. Building good habits now will support you as AI continues to play a larger role in your work.
Talk to colleagues
If you’re unsure where to begin, ask others how they’re using AI in their work. Peer conversations can highlight safe, practical starting points and normalise experimentation. You might even start small internal discussions about ethical use or shared prompting strategies.
What to watch out for
AI-generated content can sound polished and confident, but still contain bias, omissions or hallucinated facts. Over-reliance on AI without understanding its limitations can affect communication quality, safety and trust. That’s why AI literacy matters.
Getting started doesn’t mean mastering it all
Getting started with AI is not about becoming a tech expert – it’s about knowing enough to use tools responsibly, identify risks and spot opportunities to save time and improve communication.
Learning how to work confidently with AI is a valuable addition to any health professional’s CPD. Start small, stay curious and focus on applying your professional judgment at every step.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from Health AI CPD, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
