With medical college membership fees running into thousands of dollars, how about signing up to a $50-a-year alternative?

One of the new breed of independent CPD homes says it can co-ordinate and collect doctors’ CPD activities and submit the results to the medical board for just $50.

There is a condition. Osler CPD requires the doctor to commit to two years’ membership, with the $50 introductory year followed by a full-fee year at $275.

But the seven other independent CPD homes are offering similar cut-price deals to lure doctors, including specialists wondering if college membership and the post-nominals that go with them are worth the money.