Meli Attard A, Bartolo A, Millar BJ. Dental continuing professional development - Part II: The Malta CPD Pilot Project.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR DENTAL EDUCATION IN EUROPE 2022;
26:546-562. [PMID:
34843163 DOI:
10.1111/eje.12731]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Continuing professional development (CPD) remains voluntary in nine European countries. Evidence suggests a move towards mandatory CPD across Europe with the objective of harmonisation of dental CPD. Although the importance of CPD is acknowledged, the literature regarding its effectiveness is limited and under debate.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The main aim was to measure the effectiveness and success of a new CPD programme with the objective to devise a strategy, guidelines and recommendations for the establishment of a dental CPD programme in Malta.
METHODOLOGY
This project was divided into two phases; Phase 1 was the analysis of a survey sent out to 135 members of the Dental Association of Malta. Phase 2 involved the evaluation of eight verifiable CPD events, through pre-event and post-event tests and feedback forms, to investigate the effect on short-term knowledge retention and the respective satisfaction levels of participants at each event.
RESULTS
The survey had a response rate of 78%. The CPD events in Phase 2 all showed statistically significant improvement in short-term knowledge retention on each subject (p < 0.05). Satisfaction levels ranged from 70% to 99%.
CONCLUSIONS
The information gathered from this project was used to provide guidelines and recommendations for the local regulatory body and CPD providers for the set-up of a dental CPD framework and programmes in Malta, a country where dental CPD is still voluntary. This article is the second article from a two-part series of articles about the Malta Dental CPD Pilot project.
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