Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to P E Mercer.
The aim of this study was to compare the continuing professional development of young dentists who had participated in a vocational training scheme with that of young dentists who had not. It was encouraging to find both groups were actively involved in a broad range of continuing educational activities.
The views of young dentists, both VDP and non-VDP, in their first year in dental practice were sought by means of a postal survey. The majority felt they had received guidance and support from their principals, though standards did vary widely across practices. Both groups had favourable views on vocational training.
The aim of this study was to assess the involvement of general dental practitioners in Yorkshire in clinical audit activity and in postgraduate dental education and to compare the results with those of a previous survey undertaken in 1989. There is a need to find ways of encouraging all general dental practitioners to become actively involved in continuing professional development and in improving the quality of general dental practice through the use of clinical audit.
Computer-assisted learning is an acceptable form of education for general dental practitioners. Critical assessment of program structure and content is required if the maximum benefits of the medium are to be obtained. There is a need for information technology support for general dental practitioners to allow them to make best use of the programs.
Ninety-eight per cent was the response achieved by a June 1989 postal survey to determine how general dental practitioners (GDPs) in Yorkshire Region maintain their professional knowledge. Such a good response adds confidence to the survey's findings which show many GDPs are educationally active and use a variety of media to keep up to date. Nevertheless, there remains a substantial proportion who should be doing more and need encouragement.
This paper reports on the construction of an index of dental educational activities (IDEA) developed as part of an exploration of continuing professional development activities among a sample of general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the Yorkshire Region in Britain. To assist in the interpretation of the index scores an analogy is drawn to an academic examination. Only 50% of the GDPs passed, 31% achieving scores of 40% or less and 9% distinctions. Higher IDEAS were achieved by practitioners who spent a lot on their dental education, those who intended to attend continuing education events next year practice principals, those who worked in larger practices and men GDPs. Little difference in the scores was observed by the age of the practitioner, experience of working in hospital or distance from the central continuing education centre. Discussion centres on the utility of the index as a summary of updating practices and its potential as a comparative measure across health professions. High levels of continuing professional development and thus high IDEAs must be encouraged, but they need to be accompanied by high quality care and effective job performance.
Two studies were undertaken to determine the acceptability of computer-assisted learning (CAL) to general dental practitioners. The first was a single programme in two parts designed to give experience in orthodontic cases assessment and treatment planning, developed at the Bristol Dental School. The second contained two modules, one on the planning and management of dental biopsy and the other on surgical endodontics, developed within the Leeds Dental Institute. An identical self-administered questionnaire was completed by participants in the evaluation study. Knowledge and skill gains were indicated following study of the modules. The modules were also found to be easy to use and useful. The CAL approach was rated positively compared to audio tapes, books and journals, but a less consistent pictures when CAL was compared with videotapes. The study provides evidence for the acceptability and potential of the CAL approach to general dental practitioners.