Physical Therapy, Radford University, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
Physiopedia, London, London, UK.
BMJ Open. 2024 Nov 5;14(11):e089079. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089079.
This study aimed to understand the current state of continuing professional development (CPD) for rehabilitation professionals globally and identify perceived requirements to enhance education to guide efforts to develop internationally relevant, interprofessional, rehabilitation coursework adaptable to the various professions and contexts to support workforce development.
This was a mixed methods, exploratory study. A convenience sample of rehabilitation professionals received surveys regarding current access to CPD and the perceived needs for additional resources to support professional development. Semistructured interviews were performed with select participants.
Surveys were distributed online, while interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams or telephone, depending on the participants' access.
A total of 445 professionals completed the survey. Additionally, interviews were performed with 104 participants from Myanmar, Pakistan, Uganda and Ukraine to clarify and expand on survey responses.
The CPD requirements for practising clinicians and regulation of CPD activities varied widely across countries and professions. Participants expressed a need for additional resources and educational opportunities, particularly for multidisciplinary rehabilitation focusing on neurological conditions. However, there were multiple barriers to accessing technological resources and professional development in low and middle-income countries that must be navigated alongside low engagement and motivation for lifelong learning.
There is an opportunity to enhance global rehabilitation workforce development by fostering partnerships focused on the efficient delivery of training. This includes developing CPD programmes that consider cultural contexts, patient populations, and practice settings. Support for CPD can be improved through both internal and external motivators and by regulating CPD activities to ensure effective, evidence-based practice.
本研究旨在了解全球康复专业人员继续教育（CPD）的现状，并确定增强教育以指导开发具有国际相关性、跨专业的康复课程的认知需求，这些课程可适应各种专业和环境，以支持劳动力发展。
这是一项混合方法的探索性研究。一组康复专业人员的便利样本接受了关于当前获得 CPD 的机会以及支持专业发展的额外资源的感知需求的调查。对部分参与者进行了半结构式访谈。
调查是在线分发的，而访谈则通过 Microsoft Teams 或电话进行，具体取决于参与者的访问方式。
共有 445 名专业人员完成了调查。此外，还对来自缅甸、巴基斯坦、乌干达和乌克兰的 104 名参与者进行了访谈，以澄清和扩展调查答复。
执业临床医生的 CPD 要求和 CPD 活动的监管在各国和各专业之间差异很大。参与者表示需要额外的资源和教育机会，特别是针对神经疾病的多学科康复。然而，在中低收入国家，存在多种障碍，需要在低参与度和对终身学习的动机的情况下，解决获取技术资源和专业发展的问题。
通过专注于培训的高效交付来促进合作伙伴关系，有机会增强全球康复劳动力的发展。这包括开发考虑文化背景、患者群体和实践环境的 CPD 计划。通过内部和外部激励措施以及监管 CPD 活动来确保有效的、基于证据的实践，可以提高 CPD 的支持。
