Enablers and Barriers of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Participation among Nurses and Midwives

Abstract

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is crucial in healthcare professions that facilitate andembrace life-long learning, ensuring knowledge and skills to be constantly progressive and responsive todynamic health care demand. This study investigate the enablers and barriers of Continuing ProfessionalDevelopment participations among nurses and midwives in Brunei Darussalam. A cross-sectional studyusing self-administered online survey through Qualtrics software were conducted on all eligible nurses andmidwives (N=604) working at all public hospitals and Health Centers in Brunei Darussalam. Availabilityof CPD sessions with attractive topics (90.6%); support from the nurse/midwife managers (87.9%) and easeof CPD registration (83.9%) was highly identified as enablers. Female and younger participants reportedsignificantly higher support to undertake CPD. Barriers to CPD participation included last minutes changesto work schedules (89.4%); understaffing (83.1%); role as carer at home (78%); shift work (74.8%) and CPDaffect time outside work (70%). The study results can be used for developing strategies and framework toimprove CPD participation. Specific CPD hours was required for maintenance of registration as nurse, hencefuture study may consider the relationship of CPD and competency skills.