Contextual influences on learning application in practice. An extended role for process evaluation

Although process evaluation usually ends with the program, process itself does not end. This study analyzed process or contextual influences health professionals face when returning from continuing professional education (CPE) and attempting to apply learning. Follow-up survey data were analyzed for a sample (N = 549) of physicians, nurses, counselors, and rehabilitation specialists. Contextual influences studied include resources, encouragement, support, opportunity, and authority. Logistic regression analysis found support for changes to apply training ideas was a predictor of application for the sample as a whole and for all professional groups except one. Encouragement from others was a predictor of application for rehabilitation specialists, and opportunity to apply learning was a second predictor for nurses. Sufficient resources was not a predictor in any models tested. Results indicate that the practice context can affect educational outcomes and an extended vision of process evaluation is needed to incorporate such variables in the evaluation of CPE.