Conceptualising the experiences of continuing professional development of young private sector audiologists as an attribute of andragogy

Abstract

Background: Continuing professional development (CPD) is an ongoing learning process that builds on initial training and education to improve competency. Low compliance rates of audiologists adhering to CPD have been reported by the Health Professions Council of South Africa. However, there is an absence of research on the uptake of CPD from the perspective of young audiologists working in the private sector.

Aim: This study aimed to explore the experiences and views of young audiologists working in the private sector on continuing professional development.

Setting: The study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.

Methods: The descriptive, qualitative approach entailed conducting 11 online, semi-structured interviews with audiologists working in the private sector. Semi-structured interviews consisted of open-ended questions, and the qualitative data were thematically analysed. The adult learning theory, andragogy, was used as both the conceptual and analytical framework.

Results: Five andragogy concepts were used to analyse the data, with eight sub-themes emerging related to: self-concept, adult learning experiences, readiness to learn, orientation to learning and internal motivation.

Conclusion: The experiences of audiologists in the private sector on CPD aligned with the concepts of andragogy. Audiologists’ experiences need to be taken into consideration during the planning and implementation of CPD for it to be relevant, effective and purposeful.

Contribution: This study highlighted the experiences of audiologists on CPD working in the private sector with continuing professional development.