Self-reported preferences and barriers to continued professional development in primary care physicians: a cross-sectional web-based survey in Qatar.

introductionHigh quality and effective primary healthcare is a national priority in Qatar. Continuing professional development (CPD) for physicians is a cornerstone of this objective, yet little is known about physicians' preferences or barriers to CPD participation.

methodA needs assessment was conducted using a cross-sectional web-based survey of primary care physicians registered with the Department of Healthcare Practitioners (DHP) between March and June 2017.

resultsTwo-hundred-and-eighty-one complete surveys were submitted representing physicians in both public (N = 129) and private sectors (N = 152). Physicians completed medical degrees and postgraduate training across multiple countries, and most had been practicing in Qatar for 5 years or less. 'Activities during working hours', 'cost' and 'work commitments' were the most common barriers. There was little consensus regarding the optimal timing of CPD activities, although public sector physicians were more likely to indicate weekend activities as a barrier to participation (30% vs. 9%). Over 90% of participants preferred traditional lectures, workshops, case-based sessions, small group and online self-paced learning as formats for CPD delivery, however alternative modes of delivery were also deemed acceptable (> 80% agreement).

conclusionUnderstanding primary care physicians' barriers and preferences is an essential component of a larger necessitated needs assessment of CPD in primary care practitioners in Qatar. Further research is warranted to understand the underlying beliefs driving physicians' choices and the apparent variation between those working in the public and private sectors. CPD developers should consider approaches to mitigate perceived barriers and understand preferences to maximize the quality of participation.