Continuing professional development (CPD): Participation and perception among practicing dentists in the public sector in Khartoum state – Sudan 2018

Abstract

In order to keep up to date with knowledge, technology and clinical

procedures, practitioners need to continue to learn throughout life.

Objectives

To describe the participation pattern and assess the perception and

barriers of dentists in the public sector in Khartoum state/ Sudan

towards the Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Materials and Methods

A total of 261 dentists working in the public sector, participated in the study. Self administered questionnaire

were distributed after giving them brief idea about the topic. Analysis was done by using SPSS version 22. Chi

square test was used to find associations.

Results

The response rate was 93.2%, out of which 73.6% were females. The mean age was 32.4 years. General

practitioners were 61%, 26.8% were specialists and 11.9% were registrars. 41.8% of the dentists work in public

sector only. Eighty two percent from the participants had attended CPD activities before. Lectures and

conferences were the most continuing educational activities attended, while reading journals and e-learning

were the least. Esthetic dentistry and implant were the most preferable topics. Courses with hands on were

perceived as the most effective mode of delivery (75.9%). The topic of interest and presence of knowledge gab

were the most encouraging factors for attending CPD and cost perceived as the most common barrier.

Conclusion

The majority of the dental practitioners working in the public sector in Khartoum state attended CPD at least

once and had positive perception towards it.