Factors Influencing CPD Effectiveness and Practices in the Healthcare Sector in Jordan

This research report presents a thorough review of factors that influence CPD offerings, needs, practices, experiences, and effectiveness in the healthcare sector in Jordan. The study used a mixed methods design utilizing quantitative and qualitative data. Healthcare sectors included in the study were the Ministry of Health (MOH), private sector, the Royal Medical Services (RMS), and university hospitals. Representatives from five healthcare professional groups were included, namely physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and allied healthcare professionals. Samples were collected from three governorates – Irbid, Amman, and Al-Karak – which represent a broad geographic sample and cover urban and rural settings. A total of 2,204 participants completed the quantitative survey, and 22 key informants were interviewed individually. In addition, 18 focus group discussions were conducted. The findings showed that 61.1% of the respondents attended a conference in the past two years, 61.9% attended a training workshop in the past two years, and only 35.2% participated in an online activity. Participation in CPD-related activities was generally below internationally reported annual participation levels of 80-90% in CPD-designed programs among licensed healthcare professionals, especially in research-related activities. Approximately half the study participants were aware of their current CPD requirements. Career progression and personal interests were the top motivators to participate in CPD, while national policy and departmental/section policy were the lowest motivators. Positive attitudes toward CPD were shown by the vast majority of study participants who indicated that CPD is important (91.7% of respondents), keeps them up to date (92.8%), improves their practices (92.5%), and ensures better outcomes for patients (91.2%). With respect to the impact of CPD, the majority of respondents stated that their current CPD participation had enhanced their knowledge (89%) and improved their practical skills (87.2%). However, significant barriers still impede participation in CPD. Findings showed that staff shortages, heavy workloads, and limited funds were the biggest barriers to participation in CPD. The data also indicated that women were accessing CPD opportunities significantly less than men. In addition, physicians, dentists, and pharmacists were more frequently using CPD compared to nurses and allied health professionals. Distance also impeded access, with respondents indicating that time away from families and/or work made it more difficult to participate. Accordingly, any new CPD framework needs to adequately address these barriers and identify creative solutions to them. E-learning (reported by 64.1% respondents) and other internet sources (58.2%) were the top contributors to current CPD participation, while attendance at council's conferences was the lowest contributor (29.6%). The study's findings suggest that a national CPD system for Jordan's healthcare sector should prioritize addressing these barriers and promoting equal access to CPD opportunities for all healthcare professionals, regardless of their location, profession, or gender.