Perception and attitudes of pharmacists to continuous professional development-based mandatory relicensing: A Cross-sectional study
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Keywords
Continuing professional development, Relicensing process, Jordan, COVID-19 pandemic, Online CPD, Pharmacists, Barriers
Abstract
Background: The changing role of pharmacists requires ongoing professional development (CPD) for continual learning to improve competency and patient care. The objective of this study was to assess the understanding of Jordanian pharmacists regarding the role of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in relicensing, their attitudes towards the relicensing process, their perceptions of the efficiency of online CPD during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the obstacles to CPD participation. Methods: A cross-sectional study utilised a validated online questionnaire, disseminated both electronically and in person to a random sample of pharmacists. Data were analysed with SPSS v26, employing descriptive statistics and independent t-tests (α > 0.70). Results: Of the 447 respondents (100% response rate), 97% acknowledged the significance of CPD, and 92.2% affirmed the efficacy of online CPD during the pandemic. Primary obstacles comprised inadequate time (72.2%), transportation difficulties (69.8%), and a deficiency of qualified trainers. The least referenced obstacle was scepticism towards organising authorities (55.2%). Conclusion: Although Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is not obligatory, pharmacists underscored its importance for sustaining professional competence. Obstacles such as time constraints, accessibility issues, and unengaging content must be resolved to guarantee the efficacy and sustainability of CPD.
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