What are the current ‘top five’ perceived educational needs of Irish general practitioners?

Dowling, Stephanie; Finnegan, Henry; O’Connor, Kieran; Cullen, William R.

doi:10.1007/s11845-019-02047-y

Cited by 16 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Recent work in the Irish context has documented the broad CPD needs of both GPs and hospital consultants and provides useful information to support more effective provision of CPD. [19][20][21][22] The vast majority of doctors understood what the requirements for MPC were, but many did not find PCS sufficiently flexible or information provided adequate. Foremost among suggestions for improvement was the provision of more information and support for doctors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maintenance of professional competence in Ireland: a national survey of doctors’ attitudes and experiences

et al. 2020

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ObjectivesProgrammes to ensure doctors’ maintenance of professional competence (MPC) have been established in many countries. Since 2011, doctors in Ireland have been legally required to participate in MPC. A significant minority has been slow to engage with MPC, mirroring the contested nature of such programmes internationally. This study aimed to describe doctors’ attitudes and experiences of MPC in Ireland with a view to enhancing engagement.ParticipantsAll registered medical practitioners in Ireland required to undertake MPC in 2018 were surveyed using a 33-item cross-sectional mixed-methods survey designed to elicit attitudes, experiences and suggestions for improvement.ResultsThere were 5368 responses (response rate 42%). Attitudes to MPC were generally positive, but the time, effort and expense involved outweighed the benefit for half of doctors. Thirty-eight per cent agreed that MPC is a tick-box exercise. Heavy workload, travel, requirement to record continuing professional development activities and demands placed on personal time were difficulties cited. Additional support, as well as higher quality, more varied educational activities, were among suggested improvements. Thirteen per cent lacked confidence that they could meet requirements, citing employment status as the primary issue. MPC was particularly challenging for those working less than full-time, in locum or non-clinical roles, and taking maternity or sick leave. Seventy-seven per cent stated a definite intention to comply with MPC requirements. Being male, or having a basic medical qualification from outside Ireland, was associated with less firm intention to comply.ConclusionsDoctors need to be convinced of the benefits of MPC to them and their patients. A combination of clear communication and improved relevance to practice would help. Addition of a facilitated element, for example, appraisal, and varied ways to meet requirements, would support participation. MPC should be adequately resourced, including provision of high-quality free educational activities. Systems should be established to continually evaluate doctors’ perspectives.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maintenance of professional competence in Ireland: a national survey of doctors’ attitudes and experiences

et al. 2020

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“…[5][6][7][8][9] However, the CME system also faces challenges, such as various needs or expectations from healthcare workers. [10][11][12][13][14][15] In China, unlike the USA, 16 Australia 17 18 and European countries, 19 there is not a complete CME system for healthcare workers, 2 20 21 let alone for rural healthcare workers (RHWs). Because the majority of RHWs, especially rural nurses, attained junior college education or below in China, they reported a strong need for CME to upgrade their educational degrees and medical knowledge and skills.…”

Section: Strengths and Limitations Of This Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Continuing medical education and work commitment among rural healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study in 11 western provinces in China

Liu

2020

BMJ Open

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ObjectivesContinuing medical education (CME) and work commitment are important for rural healthcare workers (RHWs) and rural medical work. The significant association between continuing education and work commitment has been reported in many studies from several different industries. However, very few studies have analysed the association of CME with work commitment among healthcare workers, let alone among RHWs. This study aimed to identify the significance of CME for the work commitment of RHWs (doctors and nurses) in China.Design and settingThe cross-sectional study interviewed RHWs from 11 western provinces in China.ParticipantsIn total, 4118 RHWs, consisting of 2490 doctors and 1628 nurses who were working clinically, were included in the study.Primary outcome measuresWork commitment (ie, the relative importance of work to one’s sense of self) focussing on the affective component was the dependent variable, and it included four subdomains: pride, concern, and dedication, extracted by exploratory factor analysis of a 5-point Likert scale, and turnover intent, measured by a dichotomous question. CME (ie, a variety of educational and training activities to maintain, develop or increase knowledge, skills and professional performance and relationships) was the independent variable, including three subdomains: opportunity, participation and expectation, measured by three dichotomous questions.ResultsOf the 4118 respondents, 91.2% reported insufficient opportunities for CME, 21.3% had never participated in CME and 83.3% had a high expectation of CME. The mean scores of pride in, concern for and dedication to work were 3.54, 3.81 and 3.61 (out of a maximum of 5), respectively, and 30.6% presented turnover intent. After adjusting for gender, age, marriage, education, technical title, income and type of rural healthcare organisation, the multivariate analyses suggested that there was a significant positive association between CME and work commitment among RHWs. RHWs who had a significant high-level work commitment were those who reported a sufficient opportunity for CME (β and 95% CI for pride in, concern for and dedication to work: 0.33, 0.23 to 0.43; 0.19, 0.09 to 0.28; and 0.25, 0.15 to 0.35), had participated in CME (β and 95% CI for pride in, concern for and dedication to work: 0.11, 0.04 to 0.19; 0.09, 0.02 to 0.15; and 0.10, 0.03 to 0.17) and had a high expectation of CME (β and 95% CI for pride in, concern for and dedication to work: 0.22, 0.15 to 0.30; 0.21, 0.13 to 0.28; and 0.28, 0.20 to 0.36), and having sufficient opportunities for CME significantly increased the odds of having no turnover intent (OR and 95% CI: 1.70, 1.26 to 2.28). Age, marriage, education, technical title, income and type of rural healthcare organisation were significantly associated with the work commitment of RHWs. Differences were observed between rural doctors and nurses in the association of CME with work commitment.ConclusionsCME has a significant positive association with the work commitment of RHWs in China. RHWs’ work commitment should be further improved in future rural health workforce management. In addition, governments, healthcare organisations and professional associations should establish a professional and complete CME system in China to provide sufficient opportunities for CME for RHWs, encourage them to participate and meet their expectations.

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“…Dowling et al assessment of learning needs of GPs in Ireland found similar needs between urban and R & R GPs, apart from prehospital care of emergencies which was a need identified by R & R GPs. 18 These learning needs were identified by our study with the addition of learning needs related to police surgeon work which may be peculiar to R & R areas in Scotland in contrast to other countries of the UK.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Learning needs, preferred learning methods and learning challenges of first five general practitioners in NHS Scotland: a qualitative study

et al. 2021

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ObjectivesTo identify the learning needs and preferred learning methods of First5 general practitioners (GPs) in National Health Service (NHS) Scotland.DesignQualitative research study using grounded theory methods. First5 GPs were interviewed in small focus groups or individual interviews in-person, or over the telephone depending on their preference.SettingGeneral practice in NHS Scotland.ParticipantsGPs, within the first 5 years of completion of GP training, who were working in NHS Scotland.ResultsThirty-eight First5s were recruited to the study. Participants recognised that gaps in their GP training became apparent in independent practice. Some of this related to NHS appraisal and revalidation, and with the business of general practice. They were interested in learning from an older generation of GPs but perceived that preferred learning methods differed. First5 GPs were less reliant on reading journals to change their practice, preferring to find learning resources that allowed them to gain new knowledge quickly and easily. There were considerations about resilience and of the challenges of learning in remote and rural areas of NHS Scotland. This related to travel costs and time, and to accessibility of learning courses. Participants appreciated collective learning and commented about the logistics and costs of learning.ConclusionsPreferred learning methods and learning resources differ with First5 GPs compared with those who have been in practice for some years. Learning providers need to recognise this and take these differences into account when planning and preparing learning in the future.

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What are the current ‘top five’ perceived educational needs of Irish general practitioners?

Cited by 16 publications

References 26 publications

Maintenance of professional competence in Ireland: a national survey of doctors’ attitudes and experiences

Maintenance of professional competence in Ireland: a national survey of doctors’ attitudes and experiences

Continuing medical education and work commitment among rural healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study in 11 western provinces in China

Learning needs, preferred learning methods and learning challenges of first five general practitioners in NHS Scotland: a qualitative study

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