Evaluation of the continuing professional development scheme of the Institute of Biomedical Science

As part of a review of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), 10 years after it started, a survey was conducted. A questionnaire was distributed to all Institute members in July 2002. By the end of September, replies had been received from 777 biomedical scientists, representing a range of ages, grades and disciplines, and working for a variety of employers throughout the UK and overseas. The majority of respondents (n = 687) were current participants in the IBMS CPD scheme, but 74 replies were received from members who had not previously taken part. Half the respondents who were both scheme participants and Associate members of the IBMS and one-third of participating Fellows had yet to claim a diploma. The results showed that the IBMS CPD scheme was well respected among biomedical scientists, but many reported some difficulties in obtaining study leave and financial support to attend credited activities. Although respondents felt that an individual's own time should not be spent on CPD, activities that are performed when off duty (e.g., journal-based learning) are popular, especially among staff in younger age groups and among junior biomedical scientist grades. Respondents suggested that the scheme could be improved by provision of more resources at departmental level to allow regular participation for individual biomedical scientists. They also recommended inclusion of competency testing within CPD and a simplified diploma system. The IBMS scheme has been well received and has the potential to evolve into a good scheme to serve the profession's needs into the 21st century.