Doctors’ engagement with a formal system of continuing professional development in Ireland: a qualitative study in perceived benefits, barriers and potential improvements

Abstract

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.

“We don’t need no education” – A qualitative study of barriers to continuous medical education among Danish general practitioners

“…Another two (workplace challenges and access to relevant CME) correspond to themes in our study. The last theme is that some Irish doctors consider mandatory CME as irrelevant and see it as an added stressor (31). In our study one GP declares lack of motivation to participate in CME because the GP perceive the accredited CME offered as an attempt to push the GPs to be able to handle more than they are capable of.…”

“…A previous study on barriers towards mandatory CME among doctors in Ireland nds ve main themes related to participating in CME (31). Two themes (evidence of participation and a competence scheme)…”

“…The Danish CME programme consists of partly centrally planned activities and partly self-chosen activities. In other countries a shift towards mandatory CME has resulted in more negative attitudes towards CME (31). Macdougall et al outlines pros and cons of mandatory CME versus unregulated selfdirected CME, noting the feeling that mandatory CME may turn into "tick-box" exercises with more focus on requirement rather than learning (32).…”

“We don’t need no education” – a qualitative study of barriers to continuous medical education among Danish general practitioners

“…A previous study on barriers towards mandatory CME among doctors in Ireland identified five main themes related to participating in CME [ 20 ]. Two themes (evidence of participation and a competence scheme) are not relevant in a Danish setting since we have an auto-filled electronic CME-log.…”

“…Another two (workplace challenges and access to relevant CME) correspond to themes in our study. The last theme was that some Irish doctors consider mandatory CME as irrelevant and see it as an added stressor [ 20 ].…”