Illuminating the process: Enhancing the impact of continuing professional education on practice. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clark, Elisabeth; Draper, Jan; Rogers, Jill
• Is Part Of: Nurse education today. Volume 35:Number 2(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 388
• Page End: 394
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Education, Nursing -- Periodicals; Soins infirmiers -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; Nursing -- Study and teaching; Periodicals; 610.7307
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2014.10.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0260-6917

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="ab0005"> <title id="st0005">Summary</title> <sec> <title id="st0010">Background</title> <p id="sp0005">There has been significant global investment in continuing professional education (CPE) to ensure healthcare professionals have the knowledge and skills to respond effectively to the needs of patients/service users. However, there is little evidence to demonstrate that this investment has had a tangible impact on practice. Furthermore, the current emphasis on evaluating outcomes has overlooked the importance of underlying processes which, when positive, are essential to good outcomes.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0015">Objective</title> <p id="sp0010">The aim of this study was to identify the processes that key stakeholders perceive to be most important in facilitating a positive impact of CPE on practice.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0140">Design/method</title> <p id="sp0020">A qualitative design using two rounds of semi-structured interviews which were recorded and transcribed prior to analysis, informed by template analysis techniques.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0145">Setting</title> <p id="sp0030">Two acute trusts, one primary care trust and two higher education institutions in one geographical region in England.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0150">Participants</title> <p id="sp0040">Representatives from four stakeholder groups—students, managers, educators and members of each healthcare organisation's governing board. A total of 35 interviews were conducted in the first round and 31 interviews in the second round (<italic>n</italic> = 66).</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0020">Results</title> <p id="sp0045">Four overarching themes were identified that illuminate stakeholders' perspectives of the important factors affecting the process of CPE: organisational structure, partnership working, a supportive learning environment and changing practice.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0025">Conclusions</title> <p id="sp0050">This study suggests that a positive organisational culture, effective partnership working between key stakeholders with an understanding of each other's perspectives, aspirations and constraints, and a supportive learning environment in both the practice setting and education environment are central to establishing a culture and context where CPE can thrive and exert a positive influence on improving patient/service user experience and care.</p> <p id="sp0055">It is argued that an understanding of the processes that facilitate effective CPE is a crucial first step before it is possible to meaningfully evaluate outcomes.</p> </sec> </abstract>