Abstract
Background: Continuing education or Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a perpetual professional practice that practitioners undertake to remain up-to-date with knowledge and skills. CPD for chiropractors must include the development of knowledge and skills through an evidence based approach, a treatment approach that is patient centred and growth of self-reflection skills. CPD allows regulators to ensure that the profession is maintained to a level of competency that protects the profession and its patients.
Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the overall perceptions of registered chiropractors towards the current CPD programme, which is a legal requirement for the continued practice as a registered chiropractor.
Method: This research study was a qualitative exploratory descriptive cross- sectional study, which used an anonymous online survey platform (QuestionPro) that was distributed to all registered chiropractors in South Africa with the help of the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA). The sample size consisted of 905 chiropractors registered with the AHPCSA of which 112 responses were collected.
Procedure: The survey, information letter and consent form were distributed via an email link by the AHPCSA to all of their registered chiropractors.
Results: A generally positive perception to CPD and the CPD programme was found on analysis of the collected data. Online methods of CPD activities were found to be the most used CPD activities. Cost, availability of relevant courses and the lack of practical courses were found to be the major complaints of the CPD programme amongst chiropractors in South Africa. The collected data also showed that the institution of graduation or the year of graduation was not a significant factor in effecting perceptions of CPD.
Conclusion: This research illustrates that chiropractors are aware of the need for CPD to maintain clinical competencies therefore holding a positive perception of CPD and the CPD program mandated upon them.