Collaborative learning in the professional development of medical radiation practitioners

Area of Science:

• Medical Radiation Practice
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Collaborative Learning

Background:

• Medical radiation practitioners (MRPs) require continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain knowledge, skills, and patient care standards.
• The Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA) encourages diverse CPD activities and collaborative learning.
• This research explores the perceived value, utilization, and workplace support for both online and face-to-face collaborative learning in CPD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the value of online and face-to-face collaborative learning for MRPs' CPD.
• To assess the current use of these learning modalities by MRPs.
• To understand the workplace supports available for MRPs engaging in collaborative CPD.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to Australian MRPs.
• The survey questionnaire was disseminated via an e-blast to members of the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT).

Main Results:

• Seminars, workshops, and conferences were identified as the most valued collaborative learning tools, with no significant difference in ranking.
• 64% of MRPs regularly attend conferences, with metropolitan practitioners more likely to attend.
• 60% of participants use social media for CPD, citing accessibility, geographical flexibility, and ease of use as key benefits, with Facebook being the most utilized platform.

Conclusions:

• MRPs utilize both face-to-face and online collaborative learning for their CPD requirements.
• Face-to-face collaborative learning methods are currently used more frequently by MRPs.
• Face-to-face collaborative learning tools are highly valued by medical radiation practitioners for their CPD needs.