Research / Student Research Abstract / Exploring the effectiveness of Continuing Medical Education programmes accredited by UAE University on health care professional’s knowledge: expectations vs. satisfaction
Awad Mansour Al Essa
Programme: PhD in Education
Year of Graduation :2018
Exploring the effectiveness of Continuing Medical Education programmes accredited by UAE University on health care professional’s knowledge: expectations vs. satisfaction
It is common notion that Continuing Medical Education (CME) has positive effects on the knowledge and competencies of health care professionals (HCP), however, this notion has not yet been fully proven in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) health care context as there is very limited research conducted in this area to confirm this notion. The aim of this research study is to investigate the effects of CME on the knowledge and competency of HCP in the UAE based the UAE University (UAEU) accredited postgraduate CME programmes in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi for health care professionals. Measuring the effectiveness of educational programmes is a consensus by all education theorists. The first two levels of Kirkpatrick training evaluation model were used in this study. Based on a mixed method approach, quantitative data was collected from 302 health care professionals (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, others) who attended 4 CME accredited programmes by UAEU, in Al Ain city. Qualitative data were collected from 14 health care professionals using semi-structured interviews with participants who agreed to be interviewed. The research results showed that the UAEU accredited CME programmes were effective in terms of exceeding health care professionals’ learning expectations, the achievement of educational programmes learning objectives, and significant increase in HCP knowledge in the topics discussed in these programmes. However, the results also indicate that the need for training, patient no compliance and insurance costs were the major barriers to transfer learning from CME experience to their work place; 95% of the participants specified these as barriers. The study also provides recommendations for improving CME programmes. These programmes should be designed to meet the special and individual learning needs of HCPs, and the outcomes should be evaluated using professional appraisals. The adoption of multimedia and instructional techniques, such as online CME, videoconferencing, virtual education, and self-directed learning by scientific medical associations and community hospitals, is recommended. Comprehensive evaluation methods should be developed to assess the effectiveness of CME programmes.
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