Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O.Box 33012 Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| [b] Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Mohammad Madi, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan. E-mail: MMadi@hu.edu.jo. ORCID: 0000-0001-8521-286X.
Note: [1] ORCID: 0000-0002-1074-2599.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Engagement in continuing professional development (CPD) has recently become a mandatory requirement for practice in Jordan. This was part of the Jordanian government strategy to advance healthcare. AIMSThe study aimed to draw the landscape of CPD for Jordanian physiotherapists. The activities, attitudes, and workplace environment related to CPD were explored. METHODS:A quantitative web-based survey was used to collect data. The survey was open for potential participants for three months from 29/01/2020. Only physiotherapists practicing in Jordan; and involved in direct patient care were invited to take part. Descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS:Eighty-six Physiotherapists representing multiple cities in Jordan completed the survey. The percentage of female participants was 52.3%. Most participants were general physiotherapists (N = 42). Around 13% held a post graduate qualification. Most participants fulfilled the required number of CPD hours. The main driver for engagement in CPD was advancing knowledge (N = 47, 55%), followed by improving patients’ care (N = 22, 26%), and maximising opportunities for employment or promotion. Participants engaged with local workshops, reading articles in medical journals, and attending theoretical lectures in the workplace. The main barriers to engage with CPD were the high financial burden (N = 65, 76%), inability to travel (N = 40, 47%), and time limitations (N = 33, 38%). CONCLUSION:This study is the first to provide evidence of the activities, motivators, and barriers to CPD in a sample of Jordanian physiotherapists. Findings are important in informing healthcare policymaking. It offers directions to maximise the impact of CPD.
Keywords: Physiotherapy, continued education, continuing professional development, lifelonglearning, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
