Continuing professional development – global perspectives: synopsis of a workshop held during the International Association of Dental Research meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden, 2003. Part 1: access, funding and participation patterns

Abstract

There appears to have been little previous research interest in continuing professional development (CPD) of dentists and the oral health team. This paper presents data and information on the following aspects of CPD in 17 countries in Asia, Australasia, Europe and North America: availability of different types of CPD, its providers, data on uptake of CPD courses and activities, and funding of CPD. The results indicate that lectures and hands-on skills courses were held in all 17 countries but the use of the Internet to deliver CPD was by no means universal. CPD was funded from a variety of sources including universities, governments and commercial companies. However, the only universal source of funding for CPD was dentists themselves. Data on participation were available from only three countries. Research issues based on these results will be listed in a second paper.

A review of continuing professional development for dentists in Europe*

“…The modes commonly reported include: courses (including hands-on, seminars and lectures); reading journals or books; e-learning/internet usage; distance learning; and audit (8,38,54). The General Dental Council (GDC) surveyed dentists' opinions shortly after the introduction of mandatory CPD in the UK and found that commonly respondents thought that effective methods of verifiable CPD included reading journals (93%) lectures (89%), and hands-on courses (88%).…”

“…CPD creates challenges, not least for the quality assurance of courses and programmes (19,20) as well as the need for international recognition of activities (16). Over-prescription beyond the inclusion of core topics risks de-motivating practitioners (84).…”

A review of continuing professional development for dentists in Europe

“…Those in rural areas found accessing CPD harder. CPD creates challenges, not least for the quality assurance of courses and programmes (19,20) as well as the need for international recognition of activities (16). Over-prescription beyond the inclusion of core topics risks de-motivating practitioners (84).…”

Top of the pops – CD-ROM and DVDs in dental education

“…26,500 were dis tributed in one year alone (the fi nancial year 2001/2002). 26 They are unique in terms of the rigorous pre-distribution evaluation and assessment, wide range of topics covered and numbers distrib uted: all promoted (and promote) inter active learning.…”