Background: Continuing professional development (CPD) provides support to healthcare workers to keep up to date with best practices and addresses deficits in their knowledge and practice. Aim: The purpose of this scoping review is to summarise data from the past decade on CPD models. Method: For this scoping review, we searched PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases and conducted a grey literature search for studies/documents describing models of CPD. We limited our search to those written in English and published since 2010. Results: 74 references were included. These were grouped under two main questions: (1) What CPD models are available in various settings globally? (2) What are the perceptions and views of medical practitioners towards these? Under the first question, they were grouped into six categories: (a) Legislation, theoretical framework/learning theories, (b) CME credit systems, revalidation/recertification and maintenance of certification, (c) content delivery (choice of format), (d) quality standards, monitoring and evaluation, (e) funding and (f) country/region CPD models. Conclusions: CPD should be supported by appropriate legislation and policy, be directed at the needs of practitioners, and based on adult learning theory, have a mechanism in place for evaluation and improvement and have sustainable funding.

Background: The availability of continuing professional development (CPD) activities does not necessarily translate into good participation by health practitioners. Reasons for low participation include time constraints, cost of some activities, irrelevant material and lack of access. This study aimed to explore the views of medical practitioners’ working in Eswatini regarding the factors that affect their participation in CPD programmes.Methods: A qualitative study using seven in-depth semi-structured interviews and three focus group discussions (FGDs) of medical officers working in the public heath sectors in Eswatini was conducted between November 2020 and February 2021. Open-ended questions were used to explore factors that both motivate and demotivate medical officers participation in CPD activities. The interviews and FGDs were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, the qualitative data were analysed using the thematic approach.Results: The emerging motivating themes described by the participants were: (1) professional responsibility and (2) personal interest and learning need. Whilst the demotivating factors were: (1) non-relevance to clinical practice, (2) cost of participation, (3) lack of reward, and (4) no recognition for staying up-to-date.Conclusion: The motivating factors are associated with deep learning and linked well with the principles of adult learning. The demotivating factors found were in keeping with findings from other studies in a variety of countries. It is important for the Medical Council and CPD organisers to be aware of the different motivations and de-motivations for practitioners to engage in CPD to enable them to plan and implement their programmes effectively.

Background Continuing professional development (CPD) is a key aspect to fulfil a commitment to lifelong learning for professionals registered with the Medical and Dental Council, the intention being to promote the health of patients and develop clinical expertise. The absence of formal CPD requirements for practitioners in Eswatini has resulted in a move to introduce an accredited system. Methods The qualitative study followed a participatory action research (PAR) methodology using a cooperative inquiry group of 10 medical practitioners in Eswatini to investigate how the current CPD program could be improved and formalised. PAR entailed four stages; observation, reflection, planning and action, using a semi-structured format to explore the areas of concern. Results Reflecting on the current situation resulted in three ways to improve CPD being identified: (1) adopt a formal, compulsory CPD model; (2) recognise achievements by practitioners who endeavour to improve their skills/knowledge through Entrustable Professional Activities, and (3) ensure that CPD is relevant to the workplace by using Quality-Improvement CPD (QI-CPD) and reflective diaries. These would be done by involving local practitioners, using adult learning principles and ensuring continuous evaluation and improvement of the CPD model. Conclusions There was general agreement on the need for a formalised CPD system to improve skill levels and provide an open platform to enhance patient care in a resource constrained setting. The findings provided information that can be used to plan and action its implementation through engagement with the country’s doctors in various forums and through ongoing research.

Background Continuing professional development (CPD) is a key aspect to fulfil a commitment to lifelong learning for professionals registered with the Medical and Dental Council, the intention being to promote the health of patients and develop clinical expertise. The absence of formal CPD requirements for practitioners in Eswatini has resulted in a move to introduce an accredited system. Methods The qualitative study followed a participatory action research (PAR) methodology using a cooperative inquiry group of 10 medical practitioners in Eswatini to investigate how the current CPD program could be improved and formalised. PAR entailed four stages; observation, reflection, planning and action, using a semi-structured format to explore the areas of concern. Results Reflecting on the current situation resulted in three ways to improve CPD being identified: (1) adopt a formal, compulsory CPD model; (2) recognise achievements by practitioners who endeavour to improve their skills/knowledge through Entrustable Professional Activities, and (3) ensure that CPD is relevant to the workplace by using Quality-Improvement CPD (QI-CPD) and reflective diaries. These would be done by involving local practitioners, using adult learning principles and ensuring continuous evaluation and improvement of the CPD model. Conclusions There was general agreement on the need for a formalised CPD system to improve skill levels and provide an open platform to enhance patient care in a resource constrained setting. The findings provided information that can be used to plan and action its implementation through engagement with the country’s doctors in various forums and through ongoing research.

The absence of an antidote to Aluminium Phosphide (AlP) poisoning has been the subject of many studies. Very few, if any, of these studies have described AlP poisoning cases in Africa. This study reported on AlP poisoning and its management at Mankayane Government Hospital (MGH) and Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital (RFMH), both in the Manzini region of Eswatini. This was a retrospective case series at MGH and RFMH for AlP poisoning victims for the period April 1st 2016 to March 31st 2017. Forty-two case records met the inclusion criteria comprising 26 (62%) females and 16 (38%) males and the number of deaths reported was 17 (41%). The most common presentation was hypotension (n=10, 24%). Twenty-two (52%) patients received gastric lavage. Activated charcoal was administered the most in the emergency departments of the respective hospitals. There is a need to develop standard treatment protocols for the treatment of ALP in both hospitals. Eswatini issues permit for regulating the sale of AlP and efforts should be put in place to enforce the use of this tool.