Perceptions, attitudes, and challenges regarding continuing professional development among Ethiopian medical laboratory professionals: a mixed-methods study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Medical laboratory professionals play vital roles in healthcare services. The increasing demand for quality and timely laboratory services and emerging technologies highlights the crucial need for continuing professional development (CPD). Despite this, there is limited information available regarding CPD programs within Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aims to assess the perceptions, attitudes, and challenges faced by medical laboratory professionals concerning CPD in Ethiopian context. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 228 medical laboratory professionals was conducted in Ethiopia from July to October 2023. An online structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on the participants' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding ongoing professional development. Representatives from twenty institutions were approached through in-depth interviews to supplement the quantitative data. SPSS version 28 was used for the data analysis. RESULTS: The average age of the study participants was 32.6 ± 6.4 (SD) years, the majority were men (88.6%), and 44.3% had worked for more than ten years. Of the participants, 51% never had CPD training. Nearly three-fourths of the participants perceived CPD as essential to their professional careers. About 45.2% of the study participants perceived that the purpose of the CPD course is to renew their license and gain knowledge and skills not covered in basic training. While most participants had good attitudes toward CPD, about 10% stated that CPD is less important for their career growth. Most survey respondents did not support the decentralized CPD method. Notable financial difficulties, a lack of staff, unsupportive employers, regulatory bodies' less striction, and restricted access to training close to their place of employment were among the major challenges identified for the CPD program. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that participants' attitudes and perceptions of the CPD program were believed to be essential for medical laboratory professional career development. The study highlighted the importance of a centrally administered CPD program facilitated by professional associations and regulatory entities.