Impact of continuing professional development (CPD) on patient outcomes: a systematic scoping review

Abstract

Background: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is vital for maintaining healthcare professionals' competence in providing quality patient care. However, evidence linking CPD directly to patient outcomes remains limited and methodologically diverse, hindering generalizable conclusions. This scoping review synthesises available evidence on the impact of CPD participation on patient outcomes, identifies patterns in intervention design and outcome measures, and explores key implementation and contextual factors that influence CPD effectiveness. Methods: In September 2024 PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and ERIC were searched for studies that assessed the impact of CPD interventions on patient health outcomes in healthcare settings. Two reviewers independently screened the articles for eligibility and charted the data. Findings were synthesized using a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative summary and qualitative content analysis. Results: Of 1562 records screened, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the articles (n = 16) originated from high-income countries. Multi-component CPD interventions, particularly those with sustained support and practical skills development, demonstrated greater effectiveness than standalone educational activities. Positive patient outcomes were reported in 14 studies, including reduced hypoglycemic events, and shorter ICU stays. The most impactful interventions were those implemented with organizational support, clear protocols, and ongoing reinforcement. Nevertheless, the evidence base was constrained by variations in outcome measures (e.g., mortality rates, complication rates, functional scores), and short follow-up durations. Conclusions: Despite CPD's prominence in healthcare systems, only a few studies directly evaluate it to improved patient outcomes. This review highlights that CPD programs incorporating practical skill development, protocol-based implementation, organizational support, and ongoing reinforcement can enhance patient care. Future research should adopt rigorous methodologies, consistent outcome measures, and long-term follow-up to better evaluate CPD's effectiveness. Additionally, CPD providers should prioritize integrated approaches between theoretical knowledge, applied practice, and continuous support mechanisms to maximize clinical impact.