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Understanding continuous professional development participation and choice of mid-career general dental practitioners

  • Health Education Yorkshire and Humber (Leeds Office)
Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Abstract

Participating in continuing professional development (CPD) activities is a requirement for dental practitioners to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. Understanding the ways dental practitioners engage with professional development and the impact on practice is not fully known (Eaton et al. 2011, http://www.gdc-uk.org/Aboutus/policy/Documents/Impact Of CPD In Dentistry.pdf). The aim of this study was to gain insights into the ways that dentists reflect on their professional development and what may be influencing their choices. Empirical qualitative data were collected by semi-structured interviewing of five mid-career dentists. Using grounded theory, the data were analysed for themes about CPD choice and participation. Three themes were identified as influences to dentists' choices of CPD with pragmatic considerations of how new learning could benefit their patients and their practices. Dental practitioners were influenced by the requirements of external regulatory bodies which they did not consider to necessarily improve practice. Dentists working in primary care in the UK are undertaking CPD which is influenced by the pragmatic requirements of running a small business and to meet regulatory requirements. In this sample, dentists are not critically reflecting on their education needs when choosing their CPD activity. Protected learning time and organisational feedback and support are recommended as a way to promote more meaningful reflection on learning and to improve professional development. OBJECTIVE METHOD RESULTS CONCLUSION

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 46-51 (6 pages)

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

European Journal of Dental Education (Volume 21, Issue 1)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 10/12/2015

Publication status

Published - 10/12/2015

ISSN

1396-5883

Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/623850
  • Scopus: 84949933856
  • PubMed: 26663558
  • ORCID: /0000-0003-2332-0288/work/137058099

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