Use of The CPD-Reaction Questionnaire to Evaluate Continuing Professional Development Activities for Health Professionals

Abstract

<h3>Context:</h3> Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for physicians to maintain and enhance their knowledge, competence, skills, and performance. Web-based CPD plays an essential role. However, validated theory-informed measures of their impact are lacking. The CPD-REACTION questionnaire is a validated theory-informed tool that evaluates the impact of CPD activities on clinicians’ behavioral intentions. <h3>Objective:</h3> We aimed to review the use of the CPD-REACTION questionnaire, which measures the impact of CPD activities on health professionals’ intentions to change clinical behavior. <h3>Study Design:</h3> We conducted a systematic review informed by the Cochrane review methodology. We searched eight databases from January 1, 2014, to April 20, 2021. Gray literature was identified using Google Scholar and Research Gate. <h3>Setting:</h3> Eligibility criteria included all health care professionals, any study design, and participants’ completion of the CPD-REACTION questionnaire either before, after, or before and after a CPD activity. Study selection, data extraction, and study quality evaluation were independently performed by two reviewers. <h3>Outcome:</h3> We extracted data on characteristics of studies, the CPD activity, and CPD-REACTION use. <h3>Instrument:</h3> We used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies. The results are presented as a narrative synthesis reported according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. <h3>Results:</h3> Overall, 65 citations were eligible and referred to 52 primary studies. The number of primary studies reporting the use of CPD-REACTION has increased continuously since 2014 from 1 to 16 publications per year (2021). It is available in English, French, Spanish, and Dutch. Most of the studies were conducted in Canada (30/52, 58%). Furthermore, 40 different clinical behaviors were identified. The most common CPD format was e-learning (34/52, 65%). The original version of the CPD-REACTION questionnaire was used in 31 of 52 studies, and an adapted version in 18 of 52 studies. In addition, 31% (16/52) of the studies measured both the pre- and post-intervention scores. In 22 studies, CPD providers were university-based. Most studies targeted interprofessional groups of health professionals (31/52, 60%). <h3>Conclusions:</h3> The use of CPD-REACTION has increased rapidly and across a wide range of clinical behaviors and formats, including a web-based format.