Abstract
BackgroundHealth care professionals have been striving to maintain their competence to deliver the best quality of service. This study intended to determine involvement in continuing professional development of community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAbout 46 community pharmacists, each from a different setting, were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square test of independence and Mann-Whitney U test with p < 0.05 taken as statistically significant.ResultsThe majority (n = 26, 56.5%) reported of being unaware of the CPD concept. The mean hour spent per week on CPD is 4.1 ± 4.0. Most (n = 34, 73.9%) were engaged in self directed learning and expressed an interest to be more involved in CPD activities (N = 39, 84.8%). Interactive workshops were the most preferred modality. However they seek further support in the process of identifying learning needs (N = 34, 73.9%). The main barriers for CPD engagement include lack of (N = 36, 78.3%) and inaccessibility (N = 34, 73.9%) of CPD opportunities as well as time shortage (N = 33, 71.7%).ConclusionsThe community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia lack awareness of CPD concept but engaged in various types of CPD activities. They demonstrated good attitude and seek more support. The main barrier was lack of opportunities related to CPD.
Highlights
Health care professionals have been striving to maintain their competence to deliver the best quality of service
The objectives of this study were to identify the pattern of Continuing professional development (CPD) practice, attitude, preferences and barriers to engagement on CPD of community pharmacists in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia
The data collection instrument was developed based on literature reviews and consisted of closed and 4 point Likert-type scale questions on socio-demographic characteristics, awareness on CPD concept, attitude and practice related to CPD, type of CPD preferences, average time spent on CPD per week, if received any support on CPD, as well as barriers for engaging in CPD
Summary
This study intended to determine involvement in continuing professional development of community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia. Health care professionals have been striving to maintain their competence to deliver the best quality of service. The exponential progress in technology, diagnostic tools and treatment methods, as well as changing population demographics and disease burden, makes updating and maintaining the knowledge and skills of health workers throughout their professional life more important than ever [2]. Pharmacists’ professional role for instance has Gelayee et al Globalization and Health (2018) 14:15 encompassing such traditional teaching methods as lectures, workshops, and distance learning courses [3]. Many of the daily activities such as analyzing critical incidents at work and structured reading can constitute as CPD if recorded correctly [4]
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