Healthcare Professionals' Preferences and Needs for Continuing Professional Development Activities: A Q-Methodology Study.

Abstract

Phenomenon: Continuing professional development (CPD) providers innovate and adopt alternate delivery models to better meet the needs of contemporary healthcare professionals (HCPs). This study aims to investigate HCPs' CPD preferences and needs. Approach: In April 2024, we conducted a cross-sectional, Q-methodology study to investigate the preferences and needs of healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, etc.). We recruited 47 participants for three main study phases: concourse generation, Q-sort, and by-person factor analysis and interpretation. We also recorded demographic characteristics, including age, geographic location, healthcare discipline, and years of practice. Findings: We derived a Q-sample containing 40 statements related to HCPs' CPD preferences and needs following a review of CPD program evaluation data and a comprehensive literature review. The study participants' age and occupation were evenly distributed but a large majority practiced in Ontario, Canada. We identified four factors, representing different types of CPD participants and their training needs. Value and productivity-focused clinicians preferred convenient and time-efficient CPD activities due to heavy clinical workloads and perceived consequences of work absence. Application and competency-based learners consisted of senior HCPs who prioritized learning activities that were relevant and applicable to clinical practice. Respite seekers and growth-oriented professionals were younger and more interested in training involving nontechnical topics (e.g., leadership, equity, diversity and inclusion). Respite seekers viewed CPD as a retreat while remaining in-practice, but growth-oriented professionals sought to develop skillsets that were transferrable and facilitated role transition. We also identified a single consensus statement that highlighted neutral viewpoints toward the need for CPD activities to have "appropriate difficulty and volume of content." Insights: Q-methodology facilitated deeper understanding of regional CPD preferences and needs, uncovering viewpoints masked by social desirability and professional expectations. These preferences and needs were also potentially influenced by structural issues and demographic factors (age, levels of experience). Greater needs-matching and alignment with government policies and profession-specific regulatory standards can improve meaningful learning and CPD uptake. Future research should conduct more in-depth analysis of the identified factors through comprehensive demographic data collection and longitudinal designs.