Book Review #1: The Continuing Professional Development of Physicians: From Research to Practice

Title: The Continuing Professional Development of Physicians: From Research to Practice

Authors: Dave Davis, Barbara E. Barnes, Robert Fox

Publisher’s name, geographic location, date: AMA Press, Chicago, IL, USA, 2003

ISBN number: 1-57947-403-9

Number of pages: 394 pages

Price: $22.56 (hardcopy) through amazon.ca

Summary:

“The Continuing Professional Development of Physicians: From Research to Practice” is an encyclopedic resource for summarizing the theory and evidence basis underlying continuing professional development (CPD) for physicians. It analyzes the educational theory relevant to adult learning, and its translation into practice through didactic, workshop, simulation based applications as well as through emerging educational technologies. 

Strengths:

This book is quite comprehensive in terms of its exploration of CPD and is highly relevant to educators of practicing healthcare professionals. The authors’ ground-up approach covers topics from adult learning principles to education design and evaluation of educational interventions. It is apparent throughout the read that the book’s recommendations and insights are anchored in a solid foundation of research. It balances this theory with actionable insights, making it applicable to real-world challenges faced by physicians and CPD organizers.

Weaknesses:

This is not a light read. Practitioners seeking quick takeaways from this book may leave frustrated by the exhaustive approach the authors take, labouring to access the book’s recommendations through its textured evidence-based presentations. Many sections of the book are dense and quite academic in nature and it is sometimes difficult to recognize what may immediately be applicable to one’s particular goals in CPD construction from what is esoteric. This book may also have an issue in overemphasis in the established teaching methods at the time of its publication. Advances in e-learning, as well as newer streams of learning making their way into the mainstreams of CPD (e.g. evidence based databases such as UpToDate, podcasting, etc.) leave some sections of this text feeling out of date.

Rating and Recommendations: 4/5

This is a comprehensive well-researched summary of the CPD landscape in the year of its publication (2003) with enormous relevance to this field over two decades later.  I would recommend this to those experienced in the field of CPD development, or those experiencing challenges in CPD projects seeking a deep foundational understanding of the methods for delivering quality CPD. While the book struggles with accessibility, its comprehensive nature and overall applicability to healthcare education make it an inspiring text for educators looking to inspire physician learners.