Continuing professional development requirements of Australian endorsed for scheduled medicines podiatrists – what’s out there and is it accessible, relevant, and meaningful? A cross-sectional survey
Saraid Martin1,4, Kristin Graham1, Helen Banwell1, Jacinta Johnson2,31Allied Health & Human Performance, University Of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia2Clinical & Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia3SA Pharmacy, Statewide Clinical Support Services, SA Health, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia4Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Abstract
Background
Non-medical prescribing is a valuable strategy to enable equitable access to medications in the context of the increasing demands on health services globally. Australian podiatrists have been able to seek endorsement for scheduled medicines (ESM) for over a decade. This project investigates the perceptions and habits of these podiatrists in meeting the extra CPD requirements associated with their ESM status.
Methods
Australian ESM podiatrists completed an anonymous, online survey capturing demographics; CPD engagement; and self-reflections of CPD activities.
Results
Twenty percent (n = 33) of all Australian ESM registered podiatrists (N = 167) responded to the survey (18 female; mean ESM status 5 years, range 0 – 28 years). For the previous registration period, 88% (n = 29) completed the mandatory CPD hours, with 65% (n = 20) reporting they had not completed CPD learning goals prior, only retrospectively to this period. Over 80% identified their last ESM CPD activity as accessible, affordable, and could recommend to colleagues. Conversely, 50% or less agreed the activity increased confidence; changed their practice; improved communication skills; or enabled networking. Most respondents (81%, n = 27) indicated improvements should be made to the content, relevance, accessibility, and meaningfulness of CPD. These findings were supported by the open-ended responses.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest ESM podiatrists engage in CPD that is accessible rather than learning goal driven. Concerningly, CPD activities resulted in low translation of learnings to practice. This brings in to question the value of mandatory CPD systems based on minimum hours, rather than meaningfulness.
Acknowledgements
This work is supported by a Seed Funding Grant from the Allied and Scientific Health Office (ASHO), Department of Health and Wellbeing, SA Health. ASHO were not involved in the development of this study.
Biography
Saraid has been a podiatrist for over 15 years working across the scope of podiatry practice in Australia and overseas. She has a particular interest in podiatry care in the high risk foot setting and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Saraid has continued her ongoing education, being Endorsed for Scheduled Medicines by the Podiatry Board of Australia. In 2020, she commenced her Masters by Research at the University of South Australia around the subject of CPD for Endorsed podiatry prescribers. Saraid is currently the State program co-ordinator for the South Australian Aboriginal diabetes related foot disease program at SAHMRI.