On CPD making a difference in the lives of sonographers

10.7 On CPD making a difference in the lives of sonographers

For all interviewees except one, Ellen, CPD made a definite difference in their lives and also, they believed in the lives of many other of the sonographers who participated in CPD. One of the main benefits talked about was the new knowledge that was brought back from meetings and the wish to share this knowledge.

It’s wonderful to see the enthusiasm of some people on their return from a lecture, workshop etc., wondering how they can effect change, organise things etc. It is refreshing when this happens. (Deidre)

She went on to remark that she felt this motivation was empowering and led to feeling good about oneself.

… it’s great really and makes you realise what you do and you become more interested in general things around you too. (Deidre)

She also felt that CPD acted as reinforcement: We all need reinforcement about how well we are doing, especially part time people who can

become quite stressed about keeping current. Further education and development can be a reinforcement. (Deidre)

Another of the interviewees felt that CPD improved him: In the workplace it makes me a better sonographer, open to change and potentially updated.

(Bob)

He also felt practices could change after CPD: Things sometimes change after conferences. People come back and talk about it, just need

to get it through to the boss though 8 .

(Bob)

8 This participant had a manager who was not a sonographer and who, apparently, did not understand the value of CPD in the first place and the value of sonographer input in the second.

Jan felt similar to Deidre about the effect of CPD,

CPD does make a difference in that it encourages you to look at what you do and where

you’re going. (Jan)

Ellen was more disillusioned and did not expect to gain anything from CPD: Have come back and tried different ways of doing things, but in the end the results are the

same and all we’re doing really is repetitive. (Ellen)

Nevertheless, she was alone in this opinion and the terms empowering and empowerment were used several times in regards to CPD as evidenced in the following quotes:

Confidence and empowerment come from extra study – yes, because then you feel as though you are doing the best you can and doing it well. (Gloria)

Personally, CPD is empowering. Having grown up with the technology, it is fulfilling to take new ideas back to work and evaluate them, or taking back short cuts etc. It’s good to pick up pearls of wisdom. (Helen)

CPD is definitely empowering in that there is a better feeling about self and more confidence in the workplace. (Jan)

In summary, these interviewees, with one exception, were of the opinion that CPD made a definite difference to their lives because of improvement in work practice, realisation of their own ability and value, dissemination of knowledge to the rest of the staff at work and improvement of self-confidence. In fact, these interviewees spoke enthusiastically and it was evident at the time that they really did feel their lives were improved. Several studies have discussed the perceived benefits of CPD; these included a feeling of empowerment and greater self-confidence as demonstrated by these interviewees (Hughes, 2005; Nolan et al., 1995). This confirms the findings of the survey which showed that 75 per cent of the respondents felt more confident at work, with 13 per cent neither feeling more nor less. The interviewee, Ellen, may represent the remaining 12 per cent who did not feel more confident because of CPD. As has been mentioned previously, she worked in an unsatisfactory environment and it is possible this affected her whole outlook. According to Tran et In summary, these interviewees, with one exception, were of the opinion that CPD made a definite difference to their lives because of improvement in work practice, realisation of their own ability and value, dissemination of knowledge to the rest of the staff at work and improvement of self-confidence. In fact, these interviewees spoke enthusiastically and it was evident at the time that they really did feel their lives were improved. Several studies have discussed the perceived benefits of CPD; these included a feeling of empowerment and greater self-confidence as demonstrated by these interviewees (Hughes, 2005; Nolan et al., 1995). This confirms the findings of the survey which showed that 75 per cent of the respondents felt more confident at work, with 13 per cent neither feeling more nor less. The interviewee, Ellen, may represent the remaining 12 per cent who did not feel more confident because of CPD. As has been mentioned previously, she worked in an unsatisfactory environment and it is possible this affected her whole outlook. According to Tran et