An Innovative Needs Assessment Approach to Develop Relevant Continuing Professional Development for Psychiatrists

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Medical Education
• Continuing Professional Development

Background:

• Competency gaps in psychiatrists can hinder patient care, especially when unidentified.
• Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for maintaining and enhancing psychiatric expertise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the perceived and unperceived continuing professional development needs of psychiatrists in Quebec, Canada.
• To identify specific learning areas and challenges faced by practicing psychiatrists.

Main Methods:

• An online cross-sectional survey was distributed to members of the Association des médecins psychiatres du Québec.
• The critical incident method was employed to gather data on unperceived learning needs related to challenging clinical cases.
• Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, thematic analysis, and triangulation.

Main Results:

• 187 psychiatrists completed the survey (16% response rate).
• Key perceived and unperceived learning needs included neurodevelopmental disorders and psychopharmacology.
• Case complexity was the primary factor influencing management challenges; colleague consultation was the most frequent resource.
• Psychiatrists engaged more in in-person than online learning activities.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive needs assessment incorporating both perceived and unperceived needs is vital for effective CPD planning.
• The critical incident method is valuable for identifying psychiatrists' unperceived learning needs.
• Encouraging critical reflection on complex cases can optimize CPD choices for psychiatrists.