The effect of continuing professional education on health care outcomes: Lessons for dementia care
Rampatige, Rasika Dunt, David Doyle, Colleen Joy Day, Susan van Dort, Pauline
Rampatige, Rasika
Dunt, David
Doyle, Colleen Joy
Day, Susan
van Dort, Pauline
Abstract
Background: This review presents an overview of the published literature on the effectiveness of continuing professional education (CPE), which includes continuing medical education (CME) of different health care professionals in healthcare settings, for improving patient management and patient outcomes. This review summarizes key articles published on the subject, including those relating to dementia care. Methods: A literature search was carried out using the National Library of Medicine's PubMed database, Cochrane database and Eric databases. Results: Studies on CPE generally provide conflicting evidence on their effectiveness in bringing about a change in professional practices and healthcare outcomes. However interactive, multifaceted interventions, and interventions with repeated inputs appear more effective in bringing about positive changes than traditional non-interactive techniques. There are relatively few studies specifically concerning CPE and dementia care. Conclusion: This review shows that CPE in dementia care needs to be targeted carefully. Much can be learnt from examining education approaches in the wider professional and medical education literature.
Keywords
dementia, continuing professional development
Date
2009
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Psychogeriatrics
Book
Volume
21
Issue
S1
Page Range
S34-S43