A Survey of Audiologists and Continuing Education

Abstract

National certification and state licensure boards' requirements, personal needs for professional growth, and an expanding scope of practice all necessitate mandatory continuing education (CE) for audiologists. This Internet study surveyed audiologists about their knowledge of, attitudes toward, and practices and preferences for CE. An e-mail invitation to complete an on-line survey was sent to 7,803 nonstudent members of the American Academy of Audiology. A total of 1237 audiologists completed the questionnaire via Survey Monkey (16% response rate). Most audiologists had adequate knowledge about and expressed positive attitudes toward CE; however, nearly half could benefit from a demystification of the CE process. For example, about half of the respondents said the CE process (e.g., rationale, CE Registry, requirements for certification/licensure) was confusing to them. Cost, location, and lack of employer support were the most frequent reasons given for not attending AudiologyNOW! Despite technological advances in CE delivery, most audiologists prefer face-to-face CE events, but would be willing to spend $50.00 for a relevant 2-hour virtual seminar. Audiologists could benefit from demystification of the CE process, employer support, and an increase in the number and variety of offerings.Learning Outcomes: As a result of this activity, the participant will be able to (1) discuss audiologists' knowledge about CE, attitudes toward, and practices and preferences for CE; and (2) list improvements that may assist audiologists in CE.

Dispensing Rates of Four Common Hearing Aid Product Features: Associations With Variations in Practice Among Audiologists

“…Likewise, personal experience indicates that response rate to the annual THJ/AO dispenser survey is typically around 15%. Other response rates to surveys of audiologists range from approximately 9.1% to greater than 30% (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2003;Hawkins, Hamill, Vliet, & Freeman, 2002;C. E. Johnson, Danhauer, Reith, and Latiolais, 2007;Sullivan, 2006;Tharpe, Fino-Szumski, & Bess, 2001).…”

Efficacy of Mandatory Continuing Education

“…If the goal of a regulatory agency is to ensure professional competence, then CEUs might be considered a step toward that goal. The only way to ensure competence would be to have some type of valid periodic assessment, a task that Waddell 30 identified as being very difficult to achieve.…”

“…The recent addition of CE to the requirements for maintaining the Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is a good example of a policy change that resulted from pressure being applied by members of the profession and government agencies to state clearly that CE is important for maintaining competence. The majority of audiologists surveyed for another article in this issue (see Johnson et al 30 ) believed that CE was necessary to keep up with cutting-edge technology and that it significantly affected their professional practice, regardless of the lack of scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of mandatory CE. Specific aspects of CE will be discussed in the remaining portion of this article.…”

Future Perspectives in Audiology Continuing Education

“…In recent years, more and more venues for obtaining CEUs (e.g., on-line journals, Internet and teleconference courses, self-study, and manufacturer-sponsored offerings) have become available to audiologists who cannot or do not wish to travel to acquire CE for financial, family, work, or other reasons. 5 The future, aided by ever-emerging high-technological possibilities, will undoubtedly produce even greater opportunities for audiologists to earn CEUs via their computers in their own homes or offices. Both traditional vehicles and new alternatives for CE challenge accrediting bodies and providers to ensure audiologists and consumers that the offerings across a wide array of venues are of high quality.…”

“…3 Technological innovations in amplification require widespread manufacturer-sponsored CEs, frequently using hightechnology e-learning formats for widespread accessibility. 4,5 The purpose of this article is to discuss future trends in CE including (1) use of an algorithm for the CE approval process, (2) movement toward evidence-based CE (EBCE), (3) harnessing technological innovation, (5) focussing on ethics, (6) acknowledging adult learning theory, and (7) standardizing audiology CE. The importance of personal empowerment and responsibility is highlighted to encourage audiologists to become actively involved in the CE process to shape the future of the discipline as well as their own professional development.…”