Maltese Radiographers' Attitudes towards Continuing Professional Development: An Initial Study Using Concept Maps

Abstract

Purpose: The Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine in Malta recently published a draft document regarding the introduction of mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) for radiographers. This study explored the attitudes and motivators of Maltese radiographers prior to the implementation of mandatory CPD in order to provide the necessary information required by management to develop CPD successfully. Concept maps are used as part of a methodology to analyse qualitative data.Methods: All radiographers working in the National Health Service were invited to complete an anonymous web-based questionnaire. Results:The study showed that participants generally had a positive attitude towards CPD but were concerned about the mandatory aspect. The participants were mostly motivated by increasing professional knowledge, updating existing qualifications, and enhancing the status of the profession as a whole. Radiographers identified several difficulties with respect to CPD participation, such as lack of funding, lack of management support, and not enough local CPD opportunities. CPD participation was also negatively influenced by family commitments. Conclusion:The study showed that the majority of radiographers were self-motivated to engage in CPD activities, but there were some concerns. Based on these results, the authors suggest recommendations for allaying apprehension and producing the necessary conditions for a successful mandatory CPD scheme.R ESUM E Objet: Le Council of Professions Complimentary to Medicine (CPCM) de la R epublique de Malte a publi e r ecemment une ebauche sur la mise en place de la formation professionnelle continue (FPC) obligatoire pour les technologues en radiologie. L' etude examine les r eactions et les motivations des technologues en radiologie du pays avant l'implantation de la FPC obligatoire pour recueillir les donn ees n ecessaires a la direction qui souhaite instaurer une FPC obligatoire r eussie. On a utilis e les cartes conceptuelles dans la m ethodologie d'analyse des donn ees qualitatives.M ethode: Tous les technologues en radiologie des services de sant e nationaux ont et e invit es a r epondre sans s'identifier a un questionnaire affich e sur le Web.R esultats: L' etude a d emontr e que les participants se montraient plutôt positifs a l' egard de la FPC, mais qu'ils s'inqui etaient qu'on la rende obligatoire. Ils etaient avant tout motiv es par l'augmentation des connaissances professionnelles, la mise a niveau des comp etences et la hausse g en erale du niveau de la profession. Parmi les difficult es cit ees par les technologues en radiologie au sujet de la participation a la FPC, citons le manque de fonds, le manque d'appui de la direction, le manque de formations r egionales. La participation a la FPC est aussi rendue difficile par les obligations familiales.Conclusion: L' etude a d emontr e que la majorit e des technologues en radiologie etaient motiv es a participer a des activit es de FPC, mais que certaines inqui etudes etaient pr esentes.A...

Continuing professional development (CPD) in radiography: A collaborative European meta-ethnography literature review

“…It has been stated however that HEI and CPD pathway postgraduate options remain limited across Europe 44 . There is a real need for stakeholders to improve the development opportunities for Radiographers in both formal HEI settings and in the workplace 35,42,45,46 .…”

Continuing professional development opinions and challenges experienced by radiographers in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

“…There were similar findings among radiographers in Sudan, Europe and Australia. [3,9,14,15] Despite the recognised importance of CPD by the participants in this study, they also indicated that they took part in CPD activities owing to mandatory HPCSA requirements. Unfortunately, this is an indicator of a 'tick-box' mentality that was identified in international studies, whereby individuals undertake CPD to fulfil regulatory obligations.…”

“…Therefore, there are ongoing debates on the effectiveness of mandatory CPD. [14,15] Some international authors recommend that CPD be based on outcomes rather than the number of hours or points attained. [18] While these findings are based on a smaller professional sample, further investigations into whether other professionals display similar attitudes could be valuable for review of the current CPD system.…”

Radiation Therapists’ and Diagnostic Radiographers’ participation in continuing professional development and knowledge of Regulatory Body Registration

“…These findings are similar to other studies which identified a number of barriers to conducting CPD across healthcare professions including staff shortages, cost, time and professional relevance of the activity. [10][11][12][14][15][16][17][18] Departments should consider the limitations RTs and DIs have identified that affect participation in CPD. This will be a challenge for employers as they will have to provide the appropriate resources and opportunities to participate, despite the budgetary pressures.…”