Factors Associated with Physiotherapists’ Interest in Cardiorespiratory Continuing Education Using Computer-Assisted Learning: A Survey

Abstract

Purpose: To determine factors associated with Canadian physiotherapists' interest in undertaking continuing education in various cardiorespiratory content areas and their willingness to complete a portion of study within each of these content areas via computer-assisted learning (CAL). Methods: In a six-page mailed questionnaire, 1,426 potential participants were asked to indicate their interest in 11 cardiorespiratory content areas, their continuing-education preferences, and their access and willingness to do continuing education by CAL. Demographic data were also collected from respondents. Results: Respondents included 285 physiotherapists from cardiorespiratory interest groups (CRGs) and 447 from the licensing bodies' sample (overall response rate ¼ 56%). Physiotherapists in public employment and practice areas other than orthopaedics had increased interest in all cardiorespiratory content areas except Exercise Physiology. Membership in a CRG increased their likelihood to be willing to learn the cardiorespiratory content area via CAL. Conclusions: In developing content and determining the accessibility of cardiorespiratory continuing education, educators should consider the type of employer and area of practice of interested attendees as well as the lack of willingness to use CAL by those not involved in CRGs.Key words: computer-assisted learning, physical therapists, continuing education, distance learning, Internet RÈ SUMÈObjectif: Dé terminer les facteurs associé s à l'inté rê t des physiothé rapeutes canadiens pour la poursuite de la formation professionnelle continue dans divers domaines d'inté rê ts relatifs aux maladies cardiorespiratoires et leur volonté de terminer une partie de l'é tude à l'inté rieur de chacun de ces domaines d'inté rê t par le truchement de l'enseignement assisté par ordinateur (EAO). Me´thodes: Nous avons posté un questionnaire de six pages à 1 426 participants é ventuels et nous leur avons demandé d'indiquer 11 domaines d'inté rê ts relatifs aux maladies cardiorespiratoires, leurs pré fé rences en matiè re de formation professionnelle continue et leur accè s à la formation professionnelle continue par EAO ainsi que leur dé sir de s'y adonner. Des donné es dé mographiques ont aussi é té recueillies auprè s des ré pondants. Re´sultats: Les ré pondants comptaient 285 physiothé rapeutes des groupes d'inté rê t des maladies cardiorespiratoires (GMC) et 447 de l'é chantillonnage des organismes d'agré ment (taux de ré ponse totale ¼ 56%). Les physiothé rapeutes dans les domaines d'emploi et de pratique publiques autres que l'orthopé die manifestaient un inté rê t accru pour tous les domaines d'inté rê ts relatifs aux maladies cardiorespiratoires sauf la physiologie de l'exercice. L'adhé sion à un GMC é levait leur susceptibilité de vouloir é tudier dans le domaine d'inté rê t des maladies cardiorespiratoires à l'aide de l'EAO. Conclusions: Lorsqu'ils é laborent le contenu et dé terminent l'accessibilité des cours de formation professionnelle continue en maladies cardiorespir...

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