ObjectivesTo examine experiences of participation in a mandatory system of continuing professional development (CPD) among doctors in Ireland, in order to identify areas for improvement.DesignA qualitative cross-sectional design was used.Participants1408 participants (701 male, 707 female) were recruited via email from a population of 4350 doctors enrolled on a Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Professional Competence Scheme (PCS) for the 2017/2018 year, and completed an online survey as part of a larger study examining experiences and attitudes towards participation in PCS. A subset of the sample (434 participants) responded to an optional open-ended question about PCS participation. Responses to the open-ended question were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsThematic analysis resulted in five main themes relating to perceived barriers to PCS participation across a wide range of areas: ‘Evidence of participation’, ‘The structure of PCS’, ‘Questioning the benefits of formal CPD’, ‘Workplace challenges’ and ‘Access issues’.ConclusionsTaken together, the five themes outlined in this study give a wide-ranging, in-depth picture of the challenges faced by Irish doctors, which expand on well-documented factors such as time constraints, to illustrate a series of complex, interacting factors. Some barriers, such as difficulty obtaining evidence of participation, may be relatively easily addressed. Others, such as issues with the way the PCS is structured, are more intractable, and require further research to understand more fully and develop appropriate solutions.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the attitudes, perceived benefits, and experiences of engaging with a formal system of continuing professional development (CPD) in the form of Professional Competence Schemes (PCSs) among doctors in Ireland. Methods: The study utilized an anonymous online survey measure with both open-ended and Likert-scale questions. The measure examined general attitudes, perceived impact, and experiences of engagement with PCS. This study examines the scale items only. All 4350 doctors enrolled on a PCS were invited through email to complete the survey. One thousand four hundred eight doctors participated, indicating a response rate of 32%. Results: Descriptive and inferential statistics (analysis of variance and Kruskal–Wallis) were performed on the scale items using IBM SPSS statistics, with group comparisons examining differences in responses according to gender and current primary role. A majority (80%) of respondents had positive overall attitudes to PCS. Most participants reported that CPD positively impacts their practice across a wide range of areas, particularly patient care. Most participants reported positive experiences engaging with PCS, although a minority reported difficulties, including lack of time to participate in and record CPD activities, difficulties obtaining evidence of participation, and feeling that their CPD activities are not easily captured by the PCS system. Significant differences in responses according to role were found for overall attitudes (confidence interval = 95%, P < .00) and overall experiences of PCS (confidence interval = 95%, P < .00) with nonconsultant hospital doctors emerging as a particularly vulnerable group with less positive attitudes and experiences. Discussion: Across the board overall attitudes, perceived impact and experiences of PCS were positive, and indicate that doctors feel that PCS is a valuable and beneficial activity. However, a minority of respondents reported experiencing difficulties with engagement, and these areas of difficulty represent targets for future improvement.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate peer perceptions and stereotypes towards adolescents with clinical anxiety disorders. Design/methodology/approach The study utilised an exploratory qualitative design, using short vignettes to investigate perceptions of three clinical anxiety disorders (panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder) and a control scenario, situational stress. Responses were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings The results of the study suggest that previously established mental illness stereotypes (e.g. fear and dangerousness) may not be relevant to those with anxiety disorders, with perceptions of personal responsibility, weakness and social abnormality salient instead. These results suggest that stigma interventions should be tailored to disorder and age group. Practical implications Perceptions of weakness and blame have been associated with higher levels of discrimination, meaning people with anxiety disorders may be particularly vulnerable. Similarly, the negative social perceptions may be particularly damaging in adolescence, when successful peer relationships are vitally important. The results suggest specific stereotypes to target in stigma reduction campaigns for anxiety disorders, which may not being addressed by existing interventions. Originality/value There is a significant lack of research on both adolescent mental illness stigma in general, and anxiety stigma specifically. This study aimed to begin to address that gap, and found results that suggest, in line with previous work, that perceptions of blame may be more common for anxiety disorders, with negative social perceptions also reflecting the unique importance of peer relationships for adolescents. Further research should explore these stereotypes in more detail.

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