How a Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle runs in general practice, the CPD hours it generates, and why several small cycles beat one annual audit.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Part of the complete CPD and QI FAQ.
A PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle is a structured four-step test of change. You plan the change and prediction, do it on a small scale, study the data against your prediction, and act on what you learned (adopt, adapt or abandon). The cycle then repeats with the next change.
Pick a problem from your data (for example, BMI recording rates below PHN benchmark). Write a specific aim. Agree one change to test. Run the change for a defined period (often one week per quarter). Measure the result. Discuss at a brief team meeting. Decide what to embed. Document each step.
Hours reflect actual time spent. A single small PDSA (one GP, one week, one change) commonly generates 2 to 4 hours. A practice-wide PDSA with planning, two measurement weeks, team meeting and embedded change can reach 6 to 9 hours. RACGP classifies PDSA as Measuring Outcomes; with reflection on practice change it can be hybridised into RP and EA.
Yes, and this is the model PDSA methodology was designed for. Several rapid cycles of small changes align with continuous improvement better than a single annual audit. Document each cycle separately.
No. A blank page with the four headings (Plan, Do, Study, Act) is enough. Templates help with consistency across a practice team but are not required for CPD evidence.
Browse all CPD and QI answers · Run a PDSA cycle with a guide
CPD requirements, hour allocations and category structures are set by the MBA, RACGP and ACRRM. The PIP QI measures and payment rates are set by the Department of Health and Aged Care and Services Australia. Always verify current requirements directly with the relevant body before finalising your CPD plan. This page is general guidance and does not replace official college or government resources.