Reconceptualising the outcomes of Continuing Professional Development.
This paper considers the potential outcomes, both positive and negative, of continuing professional development from the perspectives of practitioners and managers. Following a consideration of the literature it draws upon data collected during a 3-year evaluation of the English National Board Framework and Higher Award to highlight divergent views and tensions within Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Considerable discrepancies between practitioners and managers emerge which raise a number of searching questions about the value each group accords to continuing professional development. Based on the data a new framework for conceptualizing the outcomes of CPD is presented which fundamentally undermines a quasi-market approach.
Nolan
M
M
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Studies, University of Wales, Fron Heulog, Friddoedd Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2EF, UK.
Owen
R
R
Curran
M
M
Venables
A
A
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D009718:Nurse Administrators; D009726:Nurses; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D013192:Staff Development