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Assessing global access to continuing professional development for rehabilitation professionals: a mixed methods
Shala Cunningham1, Rachael Lowe2, Cheryl Footer2
1Physical Therapy, Radford University, Roanoke, Virginia, USA scunningham4@radford.edu.
Objectives:
This study aimed to understand the current state of continuing professional development (CPD) for rehabilitation professionals globally and identify perceived requirements to enhance education to guide efforts to develop internationally relevant, interprofessional, rehabilitation coursework adaptable to the various professions and contexts to support workforce development.
Design:
This was a mixed methods, exploratory study. A convenience sample of rehabilitation professionals received surveys regarding current access to CPD and the perceived needs for additional resources to support professional development. Semistructured interviews were performed with select participants.
Setting:
Surveys were distributed online, while interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams or telephone, depending on the participants' access.
Participants:
A total of 445 professionals completed the survey. Additionally, interviews were performed with 104 participants from Myanmar, Pakistan, Uganda and Ukraine to clarify and expand on survey responses.
Results:
The CPD requirements for practising clinicians and regulation of CPD activities varied widely across countries and professions. Participants expressed a need for additional resources and educational opportunities, particularly for multidisciplinary rehabilitation focusing on neurological conditions. However, there were multiple barriers to accessing technological resources and professional development in low and middle-income countries that must be navigated alongside low engagement and motivation for lifelong learning.
Conclusion:
There is an opportunity to enhance global rehabilitation workforce development by fostering partnerships focused on the efficient delivery of training. This includes developing CPD programmes that consider cultural contexts, patient populations, and practice settings. Support for CPD can be improved through both internal and external motivators and by regulating CPD activities to ensure effective, evidence-based practice.
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