Dairy veterinarians' perceptions of barriers to uptake of continuing education programs: A focus group study

This qualitative study was conducted to explore the perceptions of Canadian dairy veterinarians of continuing education (CE) programs and the factors that influence their participation. Five focus groups were conducted with a total of 20 dairy veterinarians in Canada to discuss their experiences, motivations, and barriers related to participation in CE. Three main themes were identified through applied thematic analysis: (1) motivation for CE, (2) CE format considerations and preferences, and (3) improvements to CE to enhance its effectiveness. Participants shared that their motivation for CE participation ultimately focused on producer success. The wide range of available CE opportunities allowed participants to shape and focus their careers on areas of personal and professional interest. However, it was also emphasized that the design and delivery of many CE programs must be improved to encourage veterinary participation. Although face-to-face CE was considered stimulating and interactive, time constraints often limited in-person attendance. The accessibility of virtual and asynchronous CE, specifically webinars and online courses, facilitated knowledge transfer in a manner that participants felt to be as equally instructive as a face-to-face atmosphere. Participants agreed that virtual CE eliminated resource barriers such as time and geographic location, which supported its uptake, although in-person CE was often favored due to the added benefit of interacting and socializing with peers. Regardless of the format, many CE programs were criticized for being overly technical, lacking practical recommendations, or in the case of commercially funded CE, being perceived as biased. Even though the results of this study may be transferable within a similar context, they cannot be generalized to all Canadian veterinarians. The findings from this research highlight opportunities to improve veterinary CE by promoting veterinarian-producer collaboration, integrating practical applications with technical content, and adopting engaging delivery methods. Implementing these strategies will enhance program effectiveness and encourage sustained participation.