Why do we have Clinical Interest Groups?
The MACP recognises that its members practise in a variety of wide and diverse settings across musculoskeletal healthcare, including some very specialised areas that require knowledge, skills and capabilities outside those of the IFOMPT Standards. The MACP wishes to support these members in ongoing development of their capabilities across the four pillars of practice as well as utilise the expertise of these members to assist the professional development of other members.
These aims would be best achieved by the development of specialist clinical interest groups (CIG) under the overarching governance and support of the MACP. This would facilitate effective communication and the exchange of skills and knowledge between members. Development of CIG's under the MACP also provides support for smaller specialist interest groups by removing duplication of administrative requirements and improving their specialty reach amongst physiotherapists with an interest in musculoskeletal healthcare.
Definition of a MACP Recognised Clinical Interest Group
Clinical Interest Group (CIG) is the term given to a network that is recognised by the MACP as a group with expertise and professional interest in an area of specialist practice for a specific population.
There is no formal contract between the MACP and CIGs. Instead, the relationship is based on an organisational vision and mission for the service users/patients/clients that make up the populations that the physiotherapy profession exists to serve.
To be recognised the CIG
- Must be comprised of members who are physiotherapists (pre / post registration) of which 70% must be members of the CSP
- The CIG scope must not duplicate another CIG within the MACP
- All members must be members of the MACP. This may be as Full, Affiliate or Associate Members. There is an allowance for applicants working towards CIG membership to attend one meeting of the CIG prior to attaining membership of the MACP.
- Each CIG will have a Group Lead (or 2 Group Leads in a shared role) who will liaise with the Professional Network Officer of the MACP to represent their views and advocate for their objectives within the Executive Committee. This pathway of communication would also be used to influence and support the CSP on matters relevant to the CIG scope.
- Each CIG will have a defined set of Aims that have been agreed with the MACP Executive Committee and reflect the overall Aims and Vision of the MACP
The MACP supports a CIG with the following:
- A managed content page on the MACP website, available for regular update and to support dissemination of best practice and resources in the CIG scope
- Support from the MACP administration team for day to day requirements of the CIG
- Access to MACP virtual meeting spaces (Zoom account, future potential platforms)
- MACP recognition to participate in relevant CSP / NHS sub-groups and committees on behalf of the MACP, as well as contributing to consultation documents in conjunction with and on behalf of the MACP, and advocating for the best care/ management of patient groups under the CIG scope
- Access to MACP educational and research bursaries (dependent on level of membership)
- Opportunities to promote the CIG at all MACP events (virtual and face to face)
- Support for affiliate members to obtain full membership of the MACP on achievement of recognised capabilities
- Establishing, running and promoting courses, workshops and webinars on topics relevant to the CIG. Any profits from these courses would be the property of the MACP, but would be ringfenced to support the ongoing work of the CIG in collaboration with the MACP