Factors associated with physiotherapists' interest in cardiorespiratory continuing education using computer-assisted...

To determine factors associated with Canadian physiotherapists' interest in undertaking continuing education in various cardiorespiratory content areas and their willingness to complete a portion of study within each of these content areas via computer-assisted learning (CAL).

In a six-page mailed questionnaire, 1,426 potential participants were asked to indicate their interest in 11 cardiorespiratory content areas, their continuing-education preferences, and their access and willingness to do continuing education by CAL. Demographic data were also collected from respondents.

Respondents included 285 physiotherapists from cardiorespiratory interest groups (CRGs) and 447 from the licensing bodies' sample (overall response rate = 56%). Physiotherapists in public employment and practice areas other than orthopaedics had increased interest in all cardiorespiratory content areas except Exercise Physiology. Membership in a CRG increased their likelihood to be willing to learn the cardiorespiratory content area via CAL.

In developing content and determining the accessibility of cardiorespiratory continuing education, educators should consider the type of employer and area of practice of interested attendees as well as the lack of willingness to use CAL by those not involved in CRGs.