Reasons for and Barriers to Attending Continuing Education Activities and Priorities for Different Dental Specialties

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Continuing education (CE) activities help dentists update their knowledge and skills to ensure high standards of patient care.AIM:This study aimed to evaluate the reasons for and barriers to attending CE activities including the priorities for different dental specialities.METHODS:The study involves a cross-sectional research design. After statistical consultation, a questionnaire was distributed among 323 dental practitioners in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was checked for face and content validity, and it was pilot-tested before its administration.RESULTS:The response rate was 79.5% as 257 of 323 dentists returned the questionnaire. Most dentists reported that they attended CE activities because of personal learning needs (67.3%) and career development (66.9%). Lack of clinical experience to effectively manage patients and the practice was the least common (15.2%) reason for attending CE activities. Esthetic dentistry (77.4%), restorative dentistry (70.8%), and endodontics (70%) were the three most preferred dental specialities for CE activities. Lack of time was the most common (69.3%) barrier to attending CE activities followed by the cost (62.6%) and the distance (57.2%). More male (n = 104) than female (n = 69) dentists believed personal learning needs a reason for attending CE activities (P = 0.01). Similarly, more male (n = 104) than female dentists (n = 68) considered lack of time a barrier (P = 0.046).CONCLUSION:Most dentists attended CE activities to fulfil their personal learning needs, and aesthetic dentistry was the most preferred dental speciality for CE activities. Lack of time and cost were important barriers to attending CE activities.

Managing knowledge for health care quality: An investigation of rational antibiotic use among Thai dentists

“…However, a survey of dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia indicated that lack of time, cost, and distance were the major barriers to attending continuing education activities. 31 Consistent with these findings, our study demonstrated that the most preferable method for Thai dentists to update their knowledge and promote rational drug use is through mobile applications. With the advances in technology, easily accessed pharmacological information is very important and requires little time and money.…”

“…The traditional way of continuing education conducted by educational institutions is through academic conferences and symposiums. However, a survey of dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia indicated that lack of time, cost, and distance were the major barriers to attending continuing education activities . Consistent with these findings, our study demonstrated that the most preferable method for Thai dentists to update their knowledge and promote rational drug use is through mobile applications.…”

Impact of COVID‐19 epidemic on live online dental continuing education

“…15 However, lack of time was the most important barrier for dentists to attend continuing education activities. 9 The present study showed the dentists were more involved in continuing education during the COVID-19 epidemic, which may because they have more free time than previously. 7 The number of courses, duration and the number of participants increased significantly during the epidemic.…”

Learner behaviors in synchronous online prosthodontic education during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic

“…Time is an important factor restricting dentist participation in continuing education. 23 During the pandemic, dental clinical work was greatly reduced, 3 providing dentists with more free time for continuing education. 5 In addition, synchronous courses are easily accessed, free from space constraints, and do not require face-to-face contact, helping to reduce the transmission risk of COVID-19.…”