# Evaluating the effectiveness of continuing professional development training program: a retrospective cohort study

## TL;DR

This study shows that continuing professional development training significantly improves healthcare professionals' knowledge and perceived competence.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence of the effectiveness of CPD programs through pre- and post-test analysis and participant feedback.

## Key findings

- All three CPD courses led to highly significant improvements in knowledge (p < .001).
- Participants reported over 96% satisfaction and perceived improved competence.
- Themes included plans for further development and implementation of new strategies in practice.

## Abstract

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is essential for enhancing the competencies of healthcare professionals in healthcare settings. Without continuous training, quality of services and patient safety might be at risk.

This quantitative retrospective cohort study analyzed paired pre- and post-test data from 538 participants across three independent CPD (Healthcare Quality and Risk Management (HQRM), Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD), Accident Prevention for Healthcare Professionals (APHP)) delivered over 48 sessions between 2023 and 2024. Data on participant attendance, knowledge acquisition (self-assessment ratings and pre- and post-course examinations), and participant survey feedback post courses were analyzed.

The analysis showed that around 46.7% of participants were nurses, 36.8% allied health practitioners, 9.7% physicians, 4.7% dentists and 2.3% pharmacists, with 97.4% coming from governmental institutions. The participants’ self-perception of the courses, based on the self-assessment questionnaire, indicates a strong belief in the courses’ value and impact. All three courses resulted in highly statistically significant knowledge acquisition (p < .001). The mean pre-test scores improved by 38.3 to 67.1% points. Overall satisfaction was high, and participants self-reported improved competence with ratings above 96%. Key themes gathered from qualitative assessment revealed that participants plan to further professional development, implementation of new strategies in their work, and continued self-assessment to monitor progress. Future CPD topics suggested were advanced clinical skills, patient-centered care, telemedicine, and the integration of technology in healthcare.

The courses were perceived as relevant to professional practice and associated with higher post-test knowledge scores. Future research, incorporating longitudinal follow-up is warranted to establish the definitive causal link between this training and sustained improvements in professional practice.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-025-08415-w.