Big Assumptions in Online and Blended Continuing Professional Development: Finding Our Way Forward Together

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Psychology

Background:

• A significant gap exists between effective practices in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and their implementation, especially in online settings.
• The "Immunity to Change" framework, developed by Kegan and Lahey, explains these gaps as rooted in tacit "Big Assumptions."

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify barriers to change in online and blended CPD.
• To support CPD leaders in optimizing technology integration.
• To address the knowledge-implementation gap in digital CPD.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of "Big Assumptions" identified by CPD professionals during a virtual conference.
• Application of the "Immunity to Change" framework to understand resistance to online CPD.
• Grouping of audience-generated assumptions into five key themes.

Main Results:

• Five interrelated "Big Assumptions" were identified as key barriers to optimal online CPD implementation.
• These assumptions lead to fears, competing commitments, and actions hindering change.
• Data countering each assumption and practical strategies for change are presented.

Conclusions:

• Addressing tacit "Big Assumptions" is essential for overcoming "Immunity to Change" in CPD.
• Practical approaches can facilitate the desired shift towards effective online and blended CPD.
• Optimizing technology use in CPD requires understanding and mitigating these psychological barriers.