An Innovative Needs Assessment Approach to Develop Relevant Continuing Professional Development for Psychiatrists.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Luconi, Francesca Montoro, Richard Lalla, Leonora Teferra, Meron
Abstract	ObjectivesGaps in psychiatrists’ competence can interfere with the delivery of optimal patient care, particularly when these gaps have not been identified. This study aimed to assess the perceived and unperceived continuing professional development needs of psychiatrists practicing in Quebec, Canada.MethodsThe authors sent an online cross-sectional survey (2018) to members of the ‘Association des médecins psychiatres du Québec’ and collected data on unperceived needs via the critical incident method (focused on managing challenging clinical cases/situations). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, thematic analysis, and triangulation of data. Two coders independently analyzed qualitative data.ResultsOf 1150 eligible psychiatrists, 187 (16%) completed the survey. Over half were female (58%), caring for adult patients (60%), and practiced in a university hospital (49%). Top perceived and unperceived learning need areas were neurodevelopmental disorders and psychopharmacology. Three hundred forty-three factors influencing the management of reported challenges were classified as case complexity (53%), patient (22%), environment (19%), and lack of knowledge (4%). Consultation with colleagues (49%) was the most frequently accessed resource for approaching challenging cases. During the previous year and across both self-directed and group learning activities, respondents reported engaging more frequently in in-person than online activities.ConclusionsA comprehensive needs assessment integrating perceived and unperceived needs is the cornerstone for planning relevant continuing professional development. The critical incident method is a useful tool to assess psychiatrists’ unperceived needs. Critical reflection after solving complex clinical cases might provide an opportunity to optimize psychiatrists’ selection of relevant continuing professional development.
Related Links	https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC8630991&blobtype=pdf
ISSN	10429670
Journal	Academic Psychiatry [Acad Psychiatry]
Volume Number	46
DOI	10.1007/s40596-021-01564-2
PubMed Central reference number	PMC8630991
Issue Number	1
PubMed reference number	34846721
e-ISSN	15457230
Language	English
Publisher	Springer International Publishing
Publisher Date	2021-11-30
Publisher Place	Gewerbestrasse 11, Cham, Ch 6330, Switzerland
Access Restriction	Open
Rights License	This article is made available via the PMC Open Access Subset for unrestricted research re-use and secondary analysis in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. © Academic Psychiatry 2021
Subject Keyword	Psychiatry Needs assessment Continuing professional development Continuing medical education Critical incident method Quebec (Canada)
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Education Psychiatry and Mental Health