scholarly journals Continuing professional development in Eswatini: Factors affecting medical practitioners’ participation

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney H. Magwenya ◽  
Andrew J. Ross
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Medical Council ◽  
Motivating Factors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Practitioners

Background: The availability of continuing professional development (CPD) activities does not necessarily translate into good participation by health practitioners. Reasons for low participation include time constraints, cost of some activities, irrelevant material and lack of access. This study aimed to explore the views of medical practitioners’ working in Eswatini regarding the factors that affect their participation in CPD programmes.Methods: A qualitative study using seven in-depth semi-structured interviews and three focus group discussions (FGDs) of medical officers working in the public heath sectors in Eswatini was conducted between November 2020 and February 2021. Open-ended questions were used to explore factors that both motivate and demotivate medical officers participation in CPD activities. The interviews and FGDs were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, the qualitative data were analysed using the thematic approach.Results: The emerging motivating themes described by the participants were: (1) professional responsibility and (2) personal interest and learning need. Whilst the demotivating factors were: (1) non-relevance to clinical practice, (2) cost of participation, (3) lack of reward, and (4) no recognition for staying up-to-date.Conclusion: The motivating factors are associated with deep learning and linked well with the principles of adult learning. The demotivating factors found were in keeping with findings from other studies in a variety of countries. It is important for the Medical Council and CPD organisers to be aware of the different motivations and de-motivations for practitioners to engage in CPD to enable them to plan and implement their programmes effectively.

Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, and strain upon the start: enfranchising the medical profession for clinically proximate advocacy of improved healthcare

2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622110250
Author(s):  
Jeffrey C L Looi ◽  
Stephen Allison ◽  
Stephen R Kisely ◽  
Tarun Bastiampillai
Keyword(s):  
Resource Allocation ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Health Advocacy ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
The Public ◽  
Team Activity

Objective: To discuss and reflect upon the role of medical practitioners, including psychiatrists, as health advocates on behalf of patients, carers and staff. Conclusions: Health advocacy is a key professional competency of medical practitioners, and is part of the RANZCP framework for training and continuing professional development. Since advocacy is often a team activity, there is much that is gained experientially from volunteering and working with other more experienced health advocates within structurally and financially independent (of health systems and governments) representative groups (RANZCP, AMA, unions). Doctors may begin with clinically proximate advocacy for improved healthcare in health systems, across the public and private sectors. Health advocacy requires skill and courage, but can ultimately influence systemic outcomes, sway policy decisions, and improve resource allocation.

Professional Development In Kosovo – Research Of Training Programs And Tests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bekim Samadraxha ◽  
Veton Alihajdari ◽  
Besim Mustafa ◽  
Ramë Likaj
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Career Structure ◽  
Teacher Professional ◽  
And Training

Vocational Education Teachers are one of the main important assets for workforce development. This study of the workforce of VET teachers in selected partner countries has two main goals. The aim of this research is to evaluate the level of teacher’s development and training programs and test as well, to inform national policymakers about the situation and the needs of the VET teachers and, secondly, to help monitoring the implementation and the change of the teacher professional development. The methodology to be used is based on qualitative research methods, including interviews und surveys. A major focus of the survey is to enable policy makers to understand what is required to bring along improvements in the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) quality, effectiveness and responsiveness, as well as factors affecting teacher effectiveness in general, such as their motivation and career structure. Professional development for teachers and trainers is widely recognized as a vital tool for the educational reform (Bicaj, 2013). Research shows that the professional development can enduring improve the quality of teaching and learning, enhancing the effectiveness of education and training and providing added value to students, teachers and employers. There is no doubt about the importance of the Continuing Professional Development of VET teachers. Kosovo has for many years developed extensive policies to address this issue, and currently these policies are being implemented.

The challenges of continuing professional development among academic staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3B) ◽  
pp. 79-89
Author(s):  
Yaroslava Belmaz ◽  
Oksana Horovenko ◽  
Liudmyla Bakhmat ◽  
Lesia Kalashnikova ◽  
Maryna Shevchenko
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Motivating Factors ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
Professional Interest ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Self Development ◽  
Research Questions

The research is focused on studying continuing professional development (CPD) of academic staff in Ukraine. The starting point is to analyze various definitions to describe the concept and defining skills crucial for CPD activities. To study various aspects of CPD, the questionnaire was created and made available from September to November, 2020. It was used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data to address the research questions, particularly the attitude, advantages, obstacles, etc. The findings of the study suggest that for most respondents CPD is a necessary component of professional activities indicating that the most motivating factors are self-development, self-improvement and professional interest. The respondents consider courses, internships, online seminars and webinars to be the most effective listing courses and conferences as the most often chosen ways of CPD. The majority of the surveyed noted that they had up to 10 hours of CPD during the quarantine in spring 2020 with focus on technical characteristics, forms and methods of online teaching.

scholarly journals The College

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 154-156
Author(s):  
Joe Bouch ◽  
Robert Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
General Medical Council ◽  
Learning Objectives ◽  
Medical Council ◽  
Minimum Requirement ◽  
Development Plans

In April 2001 the College introduced personal development plans (PDPs) as the mechanism for achieving continuing professional development (CPD) objectives. We moved from an individual, retrospective points counting exercise to a prospective peer-group based activity centring on individuals' learning objectives (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2001). The current CPD policy is due for review in 2005. It is largely in line with General Medical Council guidance, Continuing Professional Development (April 2004) and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, CPD: The Ten Principles. A Framework for Continuing Professional Development (February 2002), and major revision will not be necessary. Two significant changes will be incorporated in the new policy. The first is an audit procedure whereby a random 5% of returns will be subject to further scrutiny. This is a process audit and necessary for the quality assurance of the system as a whole (Bouch & Jackson, 2004). The second will allow us to complete up to 10 h of our 50-h minimum requirement for attending meetings, by engaging in online CPD activities.

scholarly journals A Continuing Professional Development Program for Pharmacists Implementing Pharmacogenomics into Practice

Pharmacy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
Natalie Crown ◽  
Beth A. Sproule ◽  
Miles J. Luke ◽  
Micheline Piquette-Miller ◽  
Lisa M. McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Choice Test ◽  
Multiple Choice Test ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Primary Care Settings ◽  
Online Lectures ◽  
Almost All

A continuing professional development (CPD) program for pharmacists practicing in community and team-based primary care settings was developed and evaluated using Moore’s framework for the assessment of continuing medical education. The program had three components: online lectures, a two-day training workshop, and patient case studies. Knowledge (pre-post multiple choice test); attitudes, readiness, and comfort with applying pharmacogenomics in their practices (pre-post surveys); and experiences of implementing pharmacogenomics in practice (semi-structured interviews) were assessed. Twenty-one of 26 enrolled pharmacists successfully completed the program, and were satisfied with their experience. Almost all achieved a score of 80% or higher on the post-training multiple choice test, with significantly improved scores compared to the pre-training test. Pre- and post-training surveys demonstrated that participants felt that their knowledge and competence increased upon completion of the training. In the follow-up, 15 pharmacists incorporated pharmacogenomics testing into care for 117 patients. Ten pharmacists participated in semi-structured interviews, reporting strong performance in the program, but some difficulty implementing new knowledge in their practices. This multi-component CPD program successfully increased pharmacists’ knowledge, readiness, and comfort in applying pharmacogenomics to patient care in the short-term, yet some pharmacists struggled to integrate this new service into their practices.

Mental Health Nurses' Beliefs About Interventions for Schizophrenia and Depression: A Comparison with Psychiatrists and the Public

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 602-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya M. Caldwell ◽  
Anthony F. Jorm
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Postal Survey ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Work Setting ◽  
Tertiary Sector ◽  
Mental Health Nurses ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Practitioners

Objective: The main objective of this paper was to investigate and compare mental health nurses' beliefs about interventions for schizophrenia and depression with those of psychiatrists and the public. Factors affecting nurses' beliefs were also investigated. Method: This research used methods employed in previous surveys of professional and public beliefs. A postal survey of 673 Australian mental health nurses was carried out. The survey was comprised of a vignette describing a person with either depression or schizophrenia. Participants rated whether particular medical, psychological and lifestyle interventions were helpful, harmful or neither. Factors examined included: nurses' age, sex, degree of contact with similar problems, work setting, level of highest qualification and whether their education was hospital-based or completed within the tertiary sector. Results: The nurses agreed with psychiatrists (but not the public) about the interventions most likely to be helpful, such as antidepressants for depression and antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia. However, there were many differences between nurses, psychiatrists and the public. Nurses were more likely than psychiatrists to believe that certain non-standard interventions such as vitamins, minerals and visiting a naturopath would be helpful. Nurses' beliefs tended to form a bridge between the attitudes of psychiatrists and the public for some of these non-standard interventions. Age, work setting and qualifications were related to nurses' intervention beliefs. Conclusions: Mental health practitioners need to be aware of a range of beliefs within mental health services. The acknowledgement of differing belief systems is important for high quality, integrated care.

scholarly journals Conservation Agriculture Promotion and Uptake in Mufulira, Zambia-A Political Agronomy Approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget Bwalya Umar
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Public Officials ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
The Public ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Farming Households

This study utilized 120 semi-structured interviews with smallholder farming households and two focus group discussions; as well as several key informant interviews with experts to explore the promotion and uptake of conservation agriculture (CA) in Mufulira, Zambia. Results reveal that ridges and flat culture continued to be the preferred tillage systems (97 per cent and 55 per cent respectively) despite the farmers having been trained in the use of a minimum tillage technique. None of the interviewed farmers perceived CA as a solution to any of their agricultural related problems. The NGO promoting CA in the district had framed it as suited for and claimed to target labour constrained HIV/AIDS affected households. Conversely, farmers complained that CA was challenging for them due to its high labour demands (23 per cent); poor harvests (18 per cent) and was unsuited to the rainfall patterns of the area (10 per cent). Local agricultural experts contested the promotion of basins in Mufulira. The framing of CA as a solution to labour constraints did not seem to hold in the study area. This effectively limited the contestation spaces available to the public officials with dissenting views on the suitability of basin CA in the district.

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