Research Summary abstract
British Dental Journal 199, 654 (2005)
Published online: 26 November 2005 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4812933
Research summary:
Dentists' views on BDJ CPD
K A Eaton1
- Journal based verifiable continuing professional development (CPD) appears to be a valuable method of undertaking life-long learning.
- The majority of participants felt that this form of CPD increased their knowledge and had resulted in a change in their clinical practice.
- This form of CPD was one of many undertaken by the majority of respondents.
Abstract
Objective There is little information available on journal based verifiable continuing professional development (CPD). The aim of this study was to survey those dentists who have undertaken this form of CPD and elicit their views.
Design A questionnaire survey.
Method Four hundred dentists who had registered to undertake CPD with the British Dental Journal (BDJ) were randomly selected and sent a questionnaire.
Results Three hundred and twelve questionnaires were returned (78%) of these 181 (58%) were male and 131 (42%) were female. Of the 312, 307 had undertaken the BDJ CPD initiative. Two hundred and sixty eight respondents (87.3%) agreed/strongly agreed that the BDJ CPD satisfied their personal CPD needs. Two hundred and eighty three (92.2%) agreed/strongly agreed that their knowledge has been increased as a result of undertaking the BDJ CPD initiative. Two hundred and twenty agreed/strongly agreed (71.7%) that an element of their clinical practice had changed as a result of undertaking the BDJ CPD initiative.
Conclusion Journal based learning appears to be an effective way of undertaking verifiable CPD.
- Editor, Primary Dental Care; Visiting Professor, Eastman Dental Institute
