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Draper, Janet; Clark, Liz and Rogers, Jill
(2016).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7748/nm.22.9.30.s29
Abstract
Healthcare organisations face the challenge of delivering care in increasingly complex environments. To do so they depend on competent professionals and continuing professional education (CPE) plays a major part in ensuring that staff maintain and develop their knowledge and skills. However, there is limited evidence of the effect of CPE on healthcare outcomes, and an emphasis on outcomes has overlooked the contribution of the processes that underlie effective CPE. This article reports the results of a study that explored a range of stakeholders' perceptions of the processes that maximize the positive effects of CPE on practice. Analysis of results shows that CPE can help improve care when supported by positive organizational cultures, effective partnership working between stakeholders and supportive learning environments that enable individuals to maximize their learning. This article discusses how managers play a pivotal role in creating positive cultures in which CPE can flourish by being role models and change agents, ensuring organizational strategic objectives are aligned with personal development plans, and by working collaboratively with education colleagues to ensure that learning from CPE is embedded in practice.