Occupational Medicine 2004;54:14-20
© Society of Occupational Medicine 2004; all rights reserved
Continuing professional development of occupational medicine practitioners: a needs assessment
1 Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
2 MPCG Ltd, Stoke on Trent, UK
3 Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics & Toxicology, University of Wales, College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
4 Clinical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada
Objective The aim of this study was to identify elements of occupational medicine practice used on a frequent basis which are considered to be of high priority for continuing professional development (CPD).
Methods A postal questionnaire covering 28 areas of knowledge or practice was sent to all members of the Society of Occupational Medicine in September 2000. Respondents were asked to allocate scores to the 28 items for both CPD priority and frequency of use.
Results The return rate for questionnaires was 29.5%. There was reasonable agreement between frequency of use and CPD priority ratings for the elements covered in the questionnaire.
Conclusions Despite the low return rate for questionnaires, this survey has helped identify themes which are important to physicians practising occupational medicine and has also highlighted those which are less important for inclusion in a CPD programme. Some differences in responses were identified between accredited specialists, specialist registrars and non-specialist practitioners of occupational medicine. The findings from this survey should be useful to providers of continuing medical education in planning courses, study days and electronic or distance learning educational packages.
Keywords CPD; education; occupational medicine
Received 28 May 2002
Revised 10 March 2003
Accepted 23 July 2003
Correspondence to: Jeremy Beach, 13103 Clinical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3 Canada. Tel: +1 780 492 8175; fax: +1 780 492 9677; e-mail: jeremy.beach{at}ualberta.ca