Continuous professional development along the continuum of lifelong learning

Aim. To identify what factors influenced motivation to participate in continuous professional development (CPD), among a group of qualified nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Method. Ninety-four nurses, 38 occupational therapists and 50 physiotherapists participated. They completed a questionnaire derived from research literature. Views on the concepts of lifelong learning (LLL) and CPD were sought. Results. One hundred and eighty-two questionnaires were returned from 300 giving a response rate of 60.6%. Professional knowledge was reported as the prime motivator to seek CPD. Other motivators, which featured in the top four most important factors included updating existing qualifications, increasing the status of the profession as a whole and demonstrating that an individual was professionally competent. These factors overlapped with respondents reasons for CPD and a general consensus of opinion was reached among respondents on the meanings of LLL and CPD. Conclusion. In conclusion there were no observable differences between the professions and seeking CPD is intrinsically driven. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.