Effectiveness of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programs for Health Professionals

Abstract

Background:
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs are essential in maintaining and improving healthcare professionals’ competencies, ensuring quality patient care and safety. Given the global emphasis on lifelong learning in healthcare, evaluating the effectiveness of CPD interventions is crucial for policy development and practice improvement. This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of CPD programs across various health professions and settings, including outcomes related to clinical performance, knowledge acquisition, and barriers to implementation.
Methods:
A comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed from January 2015 to March 2025. The search strategy included terms such as "Continuing Professional Development," "CPD effectiveness," "health professionals," and "educational outcomes." Inclusion criteria were English-language, peer-reviewed studies involving CPD programs for healthcare providers. Study designs included cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, and case-control studies. Screening and selection followed PRISMA guidelines, and 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a standardized template, and risk of bias was assessed using appropriate critical appraisal tools.
Results:
The 14 included studies reported on a range of CPD interventions, including workshops, e-learning, simulation, and blended learning formats. All studies demonstrated positive outcomes in knowledge gain and clinical skills improvement. Interactive CPD formats showed the highest effectiveness, with reported odds ratios of behavior change ranging from 1.8 to 3.2. Common secondary outcomes included enhanced confidence, satisfaction, and self-reported practice change. However, barriers such as lack of time, cost, and institutional support were consistently noted. Differences in program effectiveness were observed based on the method of delivery and participant profession.
Conclusion:
CPD programs are effective in enhancing healthcare professionals’ knowledge, behavior, and clinical performance. Interactive and blended methods appear to yield the most significant outcomes. Future programs should address contextual barriers to improve implementation and sustainability.