Development of continuing professional development standards for Allied Healthcare Professionals in Pakistan

To explore health professionals' perceptions regarding the development of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) standards for allied health professionals (AHP) in Pakistan and to develop these CPD standards.

A three rounds Delphi study was conducted at the University of Lahore from January 2024 to June 2024 to develop CPD standards for allied health professionals. Semi-structured interviews and iterative questionnaires gathered health professionals' views on core competencies, barriers, and solutions. Expert opinions were validated and aligned with WFME standards to produce the final proposed standards.

Fourteen participants who were followed in rounds two and three were interviewed. Six themes emerged from the first round: CPD standards, competency development, barriers, interprofessional education, allied health professionals, and assessment. Key qualities identified included clinical experience, communication skills, and cultural sensitivity, while time and budget were noted as challenges. In round two, 26 standards were generated, all showing consistency in median and IQR analysis. Round three showed only a minor shift in agreement on one statement. Final CPD standards were developed through expert consensus, aligned with the WFME framework, and validated by the expert panel for credibility.

The study highlights the need for collaboration, evidence based practices, and ongoing research to enhance patient care and professional growth. The proposed CPD standards for allied health professionals in Pakistan through expert input are based on consideration of the local context and learning needs. Abbreviations: CPD: Continuing professional development, AHP: Allied healthcare professionals, IPE: Interprofessional education, WFME: World Federation of Medical Education, WHO: World Health Organization, HCPC: Health Care Professional Council.