Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions (03/07/23) Cassidy, Dara; Edwards, Gareth; Bruen, Catherine; et al.

Researchers polled 340 health professionals from 21 countries on their preferred continuing professional development (CPD) formats in the post-pandemic environment. Most respondents were physicians, surgeons or nurses, and had acquired their licensure qualification 10 or more years ago; most were also employed in a publicly funded health organization or were self-employed. More than half of the respondents who identified their main CPD sources cited their professional bodies. They primarily opted to attend meetings in their own specialty, though some also expressed interest in pursuing non-speciality CPD and interdisciplinary activities. While respondents were mostly interested in knowledge- and skill-expanding courses even without postgraduate qualification, a large number participated in CPD for professional qualification. Most respondents said they preferred a blended learning environment, with just 32% favoring a completely virtual format and 31% supporting an in-person only format. The biggest factors underlying in-person attendance were the cost to attendees, the opportunities it gave to network, and care obligations. Respondents said they valued conferences and seminars for their formal content as well as for their informality and unplanned exchanges. However, participants who had follow-up interviews perceived a reduced social aspect online. The authors note pandemic-fueled awareness of online modalities' affordability and accessibility will likely buttress demand for the future. "The challenge then is to achieve a balance between the flexibility and convenience of online and the need for personal interaction and engagement that is a strength of in-person engagement," they conclude.

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