title: Survey of Australasian geriatricians' satisfaction with, and preferences for, continuing professional development.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Continuing professional development (CPD) is an obligation for all Australasian geriatricians; however, there are no systematic data regarding Australian and New Zealand geriatricians' satisfaction with, and preferences for, CPD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To inform understanding of Australasian geriatricians' satisfaction with, and preferences for, CPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  An electronic survey to collect data relating to demographics, current CPD activities, preferred CPD activities and perceived major barriers to CPD was distributed to 706 geriatricians in Australia and New Zealand.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and thirteen (30%) responses were received. Respondents commonly reported CPD through participation in conferences (n = 205 (96%)) and research/educational activity (n = 146 (70%)). Most respondents agreed that the annual scientific meeting (n = 168 (79%)) and state-based meetings (n = 135 (63%)) are valuable for their CPD. Respondents perceived their professional (n = 155 (73%)) and non-professional (n = 21 (57%)) commitments as the major barriers to quality CPD. Respondents supported additional electronic CPD resources being made available, improved integration of assessment in CPD activities and flexible methods of CPD participation to meet the diverse needs of geriatricians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Respondents perceived the face-to-face CPD opportunities currently available to them as valuable for their CPD but seek additional, flexible products to enable CPD participation based on individual needs and preferences.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital Unit, School of Medicine and Pharmacology and Centre for Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Etherton-Beer
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.affiliation: Centre for Education and Research on Ageing, Concord Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Naganathan
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D000072219:Geriatricians / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D013192:Staff Development; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: continuing; education; geriatrics; medical; staff development